Writing from the Centre of the World

A Day of Writing, Dialogue, and Creative Exploration of South West Asian and North African (SWANA) Literature, Art, and Culture.

Join us for a writing workshop with The Markaz Review (TMR), an online and print review that celebrates art, literature, music, and culture from South West Asia and North Africa (SWANA). Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just starting, this workshop will inspire and empower you to engage with the wider world through the lens of creative expression.

During this event, you will also get a chance to meet TMR’s dynamic editorial team, including editor-in-chief Jordan Elgrably, managing editor Rana Asfour, and literary editor Malu Halasa. Learn about their mission to provide critical and creative perspectives on the arts, and discover how TMR has become a platform for the voices of Gaza, queer fiction from the region, and literary work that challenges and reshapes perceptions of the region.

Since its launch in 2020, TMR has been a vital platform for critical inquiry, offering insightful reviews, literary nonfiction, poetry, memoir, and fiction from writers and artists in the SWANA region and the diaspora.

Event Highlights:

• Introduction to The Markaz Review: Hear from the editors about the vision, mission, and global reach of TMR (10:30 AM to 12:00 PM).
• Workshop on Critical Writing and Reviewing: Dive into the craft of writing compelling book, film, and art reviews (12:00 PM to 1:00 PM).
• Workshop on Fiction and Literary Nonfiction: Explore the key aspects of TMR's fiction and nonfiction publications, featuring diverse voices from the region (3:00 PM to 4:30 PM).
• Workshop on Translation and Publishing: Gain insights into the world of translation and publishing with a special guest publisher (4:30 PM to 5:30 PM).