Banipal

Banipal, magazine of modern Arab literature, is an internationally renowned independent journal, founded in 1998, which produces top quality translations of works by authors and poets at the cutting edge of the contemporary Arab literary scene. The complete digital archive of Banipal issues offers unlimited access to all digital subscribers, from Number 1 (February 1998). Each issue offers an unparalleled view of contemporary Arab literature across the region, taking the pulse of the region’s writers and poets with creative works, interviews, reviews and essays, all superbly illustrated. This digital archive is an invaluable and indispensable library resource – for new students just beginning their study of the Arabic Language and Literature, or of Comparative Literature, for PhD students and post-doctoral researchers, as well as for translators at different stages of their careers. 

A subscription to Banipal will give access to the complete archive from issue 1 to issue 75.

Please note that at the moment subscribers to the digital edition do not also receive the print edition and vice versa.

Banipal Digital Archive Walkthrough from Exact Editions on Vimeo.

LATEST ISSUE Banipal 75 – Celebrating 25 Years of Arab Literature This is the last issue of Banipal, the independent literary magazine, marking 25 years of translating and publishing contemporary literature by Arab authors. Arabic literature will always need a magazine like Banipal. In fact, more than one. We′re closing at No 75, not because the magazine is no longer necessary but because we, as central producers, can no longer continue to operate. We no longer have the physical energy necessary and believe that for the magazine to continue, there must be new blood, a young staff, all with the same enthusiasm and conviction that we have had all these years. We leave behind a massive archive of literature by umpteen different authors and in different genres, opening up an endlessly enthralling world of Arabic literary works that’s available as an institutional digital edition and individual print back issues. Margaret Obank, the publisher In this last issue: • Some of our long-standing editors, translators, reviewers and authors • An opening poem by Adonis, who also opened Banipal No 1, February 1997 • A feature remembering Armenian-Iraqi painter Ardash Kakafian • Najwa Barakat writing on her “Literary Influences” • Anton Shammas sharing a question he waited for ten years to ask Emile Habiby • Excerpts from the 2022 Sheikh Zayed Book Award for Literature winner, “The Café Riche – An Eye on Egypt” by Maisoon Saqer • Plus Abdelfattah Kilito, Katia Al-Tawil, Nizar Aghri, Nouri Al-Jarrah, Jamila Omairah, Ann El Safi, Walid Hermiz, Amir Sommer, Rawi Hage, Jamal Fayez, Thaer Deeb, Menna Abo Zahra, and Ghalib Halasa