Ahlam Mosteghanemi

Ahlam Mosteghanemi - Writers, Facts and Childhood

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Ahlam Mosteghanemi Biography Stories 

Ahlam Mosteghanemi's Personal Details

Ahlam Mosteghanemi is a contemporary Algerian poet and novelist

InformationDetail
BirthdayApril 13, 1953
NationalityAlgerian
FamousWriters, Poets, Novelists
SpousesGeorges El Rassi
Known asAhlem Mosteghanemi
Universities
  • University of Algiers
Birth PlaceConstantine
GenderFemale
FatherMohammed Chérif
Sun SignAries
Born inConstantine
Famous asWriter

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Ahlam Mosteghanemi's photo

Who is Ahlam Mosteghanemi?

Ahlam Mosteghanemi is a contemporary Algerian poet and novelist. She is also arguably the most successful Arabic writer of her time. She was born in exile and during a time of great turmoil in Algeria. Her experiences as the daughter of a French teacher, turned Algerian liberation fighter, shaped her vision and provided inspiration for her writing. As one of the first students in the new Arabic schools in independent Algeria, she puts tremendous value in being able to write and express herself freely in Arabic. When her father was unable to provide for the family, she decided to take care of the family. But her father was against her working. He wanted her to study Arabic; that is what he had fought for. Somehow she managed to do both. She was first noticed for her bold Arabic poetry which had, until then, always belonged to Algerian men. As her boldness was expressed in Arabic, it sent a shock wave through the Algerian writing community. She was eventually forced to do her graduate studies abroad. She gracefully made the switch from poetry to novels over many years. When she finally released her first novel, it became an instant best-seller in the Arab world, as did her next four novels. Delving into human tragedy and unfulfilled dreams, her novels have universal appeal

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Childhood & Early Life

She was born on April 13, 1953 in Tunis, Tunisia while her family was in exile. Her father, Mohamed El Cherif was wanted by the French government for his involvement in the Algerian liberation war.

In 1962, Algeria gained its independence. The family returned to Algiers where her father took on a major role in first independent Algerian government, and Ahlam attended the first Arabic school in the country. She and her classmates were among the first Algerians to be educated in Arabic rather than French.

In 1970, she worked as a daily poetry show host on the national radio to help take care of her family. Her father had been hospitalized for a nervous breakdown after an attempted coup; she had promised to help take care of her family. She was only 17 years at the time and was preparing for exams.

Career

In 1973, she graduated from the University of Algiers with a B.A. in Arabic literature and published the first collection of poetry written by a woman in Arabic, ‘On the Harbor of Time’.

Shortly after graduating from the University of Algiers, she was refused admission to the university’s master’s program and dismissed from the Union of Algerian Writers. As a woman writing in Arabic, she had upset the status quo by writing too frankly and freely about topics such as women’s rights.

In 1976, she moved to Paris and published her second collection of poetry called ‘The Writing in a Moment of Nudity’.

In 1982, she was awarded a PhD in sociology from La Sorbonne in Paris. Her thesis looked into the complexities of men and women in Algerian society and their frequent discomfort and misunderstanding of each other.

In 1993, she relocated to Lebanon where she published her first novel, ‘Memory in the Flesh’, created from writings collected during her time in Paris. With its release, she emerged as the first female Algerian novelist to write in Arabic.

In 1997, she released, ‘Chaos of the Senses’, the highly acclaimed sequel to ‘Memory in the Flesh’ which ended up winning an important literary award later on.

In 2003, ‘Bed Hopper’, the final book in the trilogy was released. It has been reprinted more than 20 times.

In 2009, the Governor of Beirut presented her with the Shield of Beirut in front of an audience of about 1500 people. Her book, ‘The Art of Forgetting’ was also released during this year.

In 2012, more than 200, 000 copies of her 5th novel, ‘Black Suits You So Well’ were sold in 2 months.

Major Works

Her collection of poems, ‘On the Harbor of Time’ shocked the newly independent Algerian society. An Algerian woman was not only writing poetry in Arabic; she was freely sharing her thoughts and ideas on subjects such as, women’s rights and romance.

The Trilogy including ‘Memory in the Flesh’ (1993), ‘Chaos of the Senses’ (1997), and ‘Bed Hopper’ (2003), which explore human tragedy and unfulfilled dreams made her a best-selling sensation in the Arab literature world. ‘Memory in the Flesh’ alone sold more than 1.2 million copies.

Awards & Achievements

In 1998, she was awarded the literary Naguib Mahfouz Prize for her first novel, ‘Memory in the Flesh’. This led to its translation into English in 2000.

In 2004, she was honored for her complete works with the Pioneers of Lebanon Committee Medal.

In 2006, the President of Algeria, Abdelaziz Bouteflika presented her with a medal of honor. The Arab Women Studies Center Paris/Dubai named her The Most Distinguished Arab Woman of 2006.

From 2006–2008, Arabian Business Magazine listed her as one of the 100 most influential individuals in the Arab world. In the final year, she appeared at number 58 on the list.

Personal Life & Legacy

In 1976, she married Lebanese historian and journalist, Georges El Rassi, who has a deep interest in Algerian history. They have 3 sons.

Her novels have been translated into several languages as well as incorporated into the curricula of secondary schools and universities around the world.

Trivia

Her father told the critics at her first poetry recital, “That is my daughter. She writes as she wishes. She is free.” She attributes her strength years later to his words.

Speaking of why she switched from poetry to novels, she said, “When we lose a love, one writes a poem, when we lose our homeland, one writes a novel.”

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Ahlam Mosteghanemi's awards

YearNameAward

Other

0Naguib Mahfouz Medal for Literature

Ahlam Mosteghanemi biography timelines

  • // 13th Apr 1953
    She was born on April 13, 1953 in Tunis, Tunisia while her family was in exile. Her father, Mohamed El Cherif was wanted by the French government for his involvement in the Algerian liberation war.
  • // 1962
    In 1962, Algeria gained its independence. The family returned to Algiers where her father took on a major role in first independent Algerian government, and Ahlam attended the first Arabic school in the country. She and her classmates were among the first Algerians to be educated in Arabic rather than French.
  • // 1970
    In 1970, she worked as a daily poetry show host on the national radio to help take care of her family. Her father had been hospitalized for a nervous breakdown after an attempted coup; she had promised to help take care of her family. She was only 17 years at the time and was preparing for exams.
  • // 1973
    In 1973, she graduated from the University of Algiers with a B.A. in Arabic literature and published the first collection of poetry written by a woman in Arabic, ‘On the Harbor of Time’.
  • // 1976
    In 1976, she moved to Paris and published her second collection of poetry called ‘The Writing in a Moment of Nudity’.
  • // 1976
    In 1976, she married Lebanese historian and journalist, Georges El Rassi, who has a deep interest in Algerian history. They have 3 sons.
  • // 1982
    In 1982, she was awarded a PhD in sociology from La Sorbonne in Paris. Her thesis looked into the complexities of men and women in Algerian society and their frequent discomfort and misunderstanding of each other.
  • // 1993
    In 1993, she relocated to Lebanon where she published her first novel, ‘Memory in the Flesh’, created from writings collected during her time in Paris. With its release, she emerged as the first female Algerian novelist to write in Arabic.
  • // 1993 To 2003
    The Trilogy including ‘Memory in the Flesh’ (1993), ‘Chaos of the Senses’ (1997), and ‘Bed Hopper’ (2003), which explore human tragedy and unfulfilled dreams made her a best-selling sensation in the Arab literature world. ‘Memory in the Flesh’ alone sold more than 1.2 million copies.
  • // 1997
    In 1997, she released, ‘Chaos of the Senses’, the highly acclaimed sequel to ‘Memory in the Flesh’ which ended up winning an important literary award later on.
  • // 1998 To 2000
    In 1998, she was awarded the literary Naguib Mahfouz Prize for her first novel, ‘Memory in the Flesh’. This led to its translation into English in 2000.
  • // 2003
    In 2003, ‘Bed Hopper’, the final book in the trilogy was released. It has been reprinted more than 20 times.
  • // 2004
    In 2004, she was honored for her complete works with the Pioneers of Lebanon Committee Medal.
  • // 2006
    In 2006, the President of Algeria, Abdelaziz Bouteflika presented her with a medal of honor. The Arab Women Studies Center Paris/Dubai named her The Most Distinguished Arab Woman of 2006.
  • // 2006 To 2008
    From 2006–2008, Arabian Business Magazine listed her as one of the 100 most influential individuals in the Arab world. In the final year, she appeared at number 58 on the list.
  • // 2009
    In 2009, the Governor of Beirut presented her with the Shield of Beirut in front of an audience of about 1500 people. Her book, ‘The Art of Forgetting’ was also released during this year.
  • // 2012
    In 2012, more than 200, 000 copies of her 5th novel, ‘Black Suits You So Well’ were sold in 2 months.

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Ahlam Mosteghanemi's FAQ

  • What is Ahlam Mosteghanemi birthday?

    Ahlam Mosteghanemi was born at 1953-04-13

  • Where is Ahlam Mosteghanemi's birth place?

    Ahlam Mosteghanemi was born in Constantine

  • What is Ahlam Mosteghanemi nationalities?

    Ahlam Mosteghanemi's nationalities is Algerian

  • Who is Ahlam Mosteghanemi spouses?

    Ahlam Mosteghanemi's spouses is Georges El Rassi

  • What was Ahlam Mosteghanemi universities?

    Ahlam Mosteghanemi studied at University of Algiers

  • Who is Ahlam Mosteghanemi's father?

    Ahlam Mosteghanemi's father is Mohammed Chérif

  • What is Ahlam Mosteghanemi's sun sign?

    Ahlam Mosteghanemi is Aries

  • How famous is Ahlam Mosteghanemi?

    Ahlam Mosteghanemi is famouse as Writer