Literature written by women writers, such as Colette Al-Khoury and Ghada Al-Samman, plays a huge role in shaping the consciousness of Syrian women. Their texts are centred around women’s freedom and a woman’s right to control her own life, love, and eroticism. Both authors were pioneers of Arabic feminism and rebelled against conservative Damascan society, shocking the Arab world with their first publications; Colette Al-Khoury published her novel “Days with him” in 1961 and Ghada Al-Samman published a collection of short stories in 1962, entitled “Your eyes are my destiny”. The course offers an insight into the biographies and texts of the two authors.

Rima Issac is from Syria; she was born in Damaskus and grew up in Kaffaram, a village in the mountains known for its apples and its liqueur. Her aunt, who worked as a civil engineer, was her feminist role model and Rima grew up surrounded by her books. Rima studied English Literature at university in Homs from 1994 to 2003 and worked privately as a teacher. She was subsequently employed in a state school.

© Sana al Mor