Layla Balabakki
Layla Baalbakki | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1936 Beirut, Lebanon |
| Died | (aged 87) London, England |
| Pen name | Laila/Leila Balabaki, Baalbaki, Baalbakki |
| Occupation | Novelist, journalist |
| Education | Beirut Jesuit University |
Layla Balabakki (
Arabic: ليلى بعلبكي; 1936 – 21 October 2023) was a Lebanese novelist, journalist, activist and feminist. Among her most notable works is Ana Ahya (I Live) (1958) which tells the story of a woman's protest against parental authority and community leaders. Balabakki's literary work also inspired political uproar because of her public criticisms of Islam and sexually explicit stories. Balabakki was brought to trial, while her work was censored.[1]
Her desire to push back against societal values and explore alternative female identities made Balabakki a large influence on contemporary Arab feminism.
Early life and education
Born to a traditional
expression.[1]
Notable works
In 1958, Balabakki published her first book, I Live when she was 22 years old. The protagonist, Lina Fayyad, presents a powerful first-person narrative that exhibits an acute awareness of the self and
patriarchal society function to inhibit and inspire feminist rebellion
.
In 1963, Balabakki published her first collection of short stories, Safinat hanan ila al-qamar (The Spaceship of Tenderness to the Moon). A few months later, Balabakki was charged with
Activism
Balabakki was an advocate for
social reform. In May 1959, Balabakki delivered her "We Without Masks" address, a speech about the socialization of Lebanese youth.[6] She pointed how Lebanese youth grow up to "be ashamed of their bodies and to fight every sensation" that erupts from sexual curiosity.[2] In contrast, American and European youth experience more freedom, growing up with exposure to Elvis Presley and Seven-Up.[2] Balabakki gave these examples hoping to inspire a social rebellion that would modernize the state
.
Death
Layla Balabakki died on 17 October 2023, at the age of 87.[7]
Bibliography
Novels
1958 – Ana Ahya (I Live)
1960 – Al-Aliha al-mamsukha (The Gods Deformed)
Short Stories
1963 – Safinat hanan ila al-quamar (The Spaceship of Tenderness to the Moon)
See also
References
- ^ a b c d King-irani, Laurie (2004). Encyclopedia of the Modern Middle East. Gale.
- ^ a b c Haim, Sylvia G. (1981). Middle Eastern Studies. Vol. 17. Leiden, NLD: Taylor & Francis Ltd.
- ^ a b "Layla Baalbakki". arabwomenwriters.com. Archived from the original on 18 December 2018. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
- ^ a b Ashour, Radwa (2008). Arab Women Writers : A Critical Reference Guide (2 ed.). Cairo, Egypt: American University in Cairo Press.
- ^ a b Abudi, Dalya (2011). Women and Gender: The Middle East and the Islamic World. Vol. 10. Leiden, NLD.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ^ Accad, Evelyne (1995). Arab Women's Literary Inscriptions: A Note and Extended Bibliography. Vol. 22. Cairo, Egypt: Third World Women's Inscriptions.
- ^ لندن/ وفاة ليلى بعلبكي، الروائية اللبنانية المناضلة بمنزلها بالمهجر (in Arabic)
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