Reʾûvēn Śenîr Knihy

This book is the first comprehensive exploration of Palestinian drama and theatre in a non-Arabic language. It traces the historical development of Palestinian theatrical activities, beginning with their tentative emergence before 1948, through the challenges posed by the establishment of Israel, to the revival of professional theatre following the 1967 defeat. The narrative highlights the significance of the 1970s in the context of Palestinian nation-building. The study offers insights into the contemporary Palestinian theatrical movement, its artistic framework, main themes, poetic traits, and sources of influence. While primarily historical, the methodology incorporates literary and dramatic perspectives. It emphasizes the evolution of practical theatrical activities and the emergence of dramatic literature, focusing on the institutions that facilitated these developments. Key dramatic works from various historical phases are presented in detail, alongside analyses of their staging. The investigation includes a thorough examination of two influential Palestinian troupes, al-Balalin and al-Hakawati, and their roles in the professionalization of theatre. Targeted at scholars and students of Arabic culture, literature, theatre, and Palestinian nationalism, the book also appeals to those interested in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

One of the significant phenomena in modern Arabic literature since the 1960s has been the use of mystical concepts, figures and motifs for the expression of contemporary experiences, philosophies and ideologies. The book investigates this phenomenon mainly with regard to the creative poetic process and the use of literary masks. It also deals with the complicated relationship between Arabic literature and Islam as well as with the literary activities by religious traditional circles. In a welter of publications committed Muslim authors try to prove that there is no inherent contradiction between art and Islam, and at the same time to lay the theoretical foundations for an „Islamist“ poetics encompassing the various branches of literary production. Within the secular canonical circles, however, these activities and texts are considered extremely marginal and none of the authors concerned has gained any canonical status. The growing number of cases, in which attempts at censorship on religious and moral grounds have been challenged, prove also that Arabic literature has become more and more secular.