Sharjah African Literature Festival 2026 Discusses Feminist Writing
As part of the Sharjah African Literature Festival 2026, feminist writing and its profound impact on contemporary literature were highlighted. This form of writing represents a dynamic cultural space that reflects social transformations and preserves memory. The session titled “Feminist Writing and Memory Preservation” explained how feminist writing has become a tool for conveying and documenting women’s experiences within the broader literary landscape, contributing to the reshaping of cultural awareness.
The Female Voice in Literature: Towards Greater Impact
During the discussion session, Emirati writer Nadia Al-Najjar and Rwandan author Scholastique Mukasonga spoke, with Al-Najjar emphasizing that feminist writing has clearly established its presence in recent years in the UAE, evidenced by the increasing number of female writers who have received prestigious literary awards. She explained that women in the UAE have been writing across various literary genres, reflecting the maturity of women’s literary experiences.
From Oral Tradition to Writing: A Long Female Journey
In this context, Mukasonga pointed out that women’s engagement in African writing was the result of long and continuous efforts. Writing in many African communities was not a common activity for women, but this has changed over time, allowing women to find their voice in the public literary space. She emphasized that feminist writing represents a qualitative shift from oral expression to written text, which has helped document women’s experiences and their perspectives on the world.
Literature as a Means to Enhance Cultural Awareness
Mukasonga added that African women have a long history of preserving cultural memory, but this role has evolved significantly to include literary writing in the modern era. She explained how this form of expression has enabled women to document their experiences and participate in shaping cultural awareness, thanks to increased opportunities for education, publishing, and translation.
Cultural Convergence Through Poetry
On the sidelines of the festival, the poetry evening “Poems Without Borders” featured a unique gathering of poets from the UAE and Africa, showcasing poems that addressed complex themes such as migration, heritage, and imagination. This evening was marked by a distinctive cultural exchange, illustrating poetry as a shared space for human expression, highlighting strong connections between experiences, memory, and emotions.