4th IPAF “US Tour” starts at Dartmouth College

Moroccan author Yassin Adnan, IPAF-longlisted in 2017 for Hot Maroc and his translator Alexander Elinson have launched the Prize’s fourth “US tour” of American universities with a visit to Dartmouth. While at the college, they met with students and faculty through class visits, and a panel discussion was moderated by Jonathan Smolin of the Middle Eastern Studies Program.

During the discussion, Adnan described how the idea for his novel Hot Maroc first took shape when his Facebook account was hacked – an incident that sparked more intrigue than anger. He was also fascinated by the anonymous comments that often appeared on his online articles. Adnan also reflected on the challenges and revelations that come with translation, noting how the process tests a novel’s depth and literary value. And he spoke about the importance of animals in Arabic literature and classical fables, explaining how these traditions inspired his antihero’s impulse to categorize people, including himself, as animals and treat them accordingly.

Alexander highlighted the complexities of translating different Arabic, especially Moroccan, dialects that lack direct English equivalents. He also shared his passion for Arabic literature and emphasized the urgent need for more translations to bring these works into the English-speaking literary landscape.

Sponsored by the International Prize for Arabic Fiction, Interlink Publishing, and the universities themselves, the tour continues with visits to nine more universities.