The discussion surrounding “Years of the Stranger: The Question of Memory and Identity” delves into the intricate relationship between memory and identity through literature. This profound exploration is vividly illustrated in the novel “Years of the Stranger: Margins of the Life of the Stranger” penned by Emirati author Mariam Al Zarouni. In this article, we examine a recent panel discussion hosted by the Kalima Reading Club in collaboration with the Literary Forum at the Emirates Palace, where the novel serves as a pivotal point in a broader dialogue about the human experience.
The Kalima Reading Club, in collaboration with the Literary Forum at the Emirates Palace, organized a panel discussion to explore the novel “Years of the Stranger: Margins of the Life of the Stranger” by Emirati writer Mariam Al Zarouni. The session was opened by the founder of the Literary Forum, Asma Sadik Al Mutawa, who delivered a welcoming speech emphasizing the role of literature in illuminating human memory and re-examining the self and the world.
To highlight the philosophical depth of the work, Al Mutawa explained that the novel transcends the biography of its protagonist, “the Stranger,” to pose existential questions about identity, memory as a refuge, and the journey for recognition. Among these questions are, “When does a person become a stranger? Is it when they leave their place? Or when the place fails to recognize them?” These questions point to a fundamental issue in “Years of the Stranger: The Question of Memory and Identity,” reflecting the complexities of the human experience in the modern world.
Al Mutawa noted that Al Zarouni gives this work its unique voice, rooted in the Emirati and Gulf environment, as well as her human and poetic experiences. On an artistic level, Al Mutawa evoked Bakhtin’s discussions about the world of Dostoevsky, characterized by “a world of multiple voices and perspectives.” However, Al Zarouni takes a step further; when a person falls silent, the tree speaks, the stone witnesses, and the mirror reveals, as if memory itself has become the narrator of the story. This is a significant point that reflects the essence of “Years of the Stranger: The Question of Memory and Identity.”
The session included a contribution from the author Mariam Al Zarouni, who spoke about the behind-the-scenes aspects of her experience and the atmosphere of writing the novel. She affirmed that her work in poetry, essays, and visual arts did not prevent her from approaching the novel with precise and particular considerations. She pointed out that the character “the Stranger” represents a blend of reality and imagination, drawing inspiration from the stories of ancestors and elders about the difficulties of life in the past. The details reveal deep dives into the spirit of memory and identity, making “Years of the Stranger: The Question of Memory and Identity” a rich experience that takes the reader on a unique journey.