Women’s literary salons are places where women came together to talk about literature, read poems, tell old stories and hold forums.  Libyan poet Hanan Mahfouz opens a women’s literary salon in Libya again.

ÎPTÎSAM AXFÎR

Benghazi – Women’s literary salons still exist in some Arab countries. Some stories are told about women's literary salons that sometimes appeared and disappeared in Libya, particularly in Tripoli and Benghazi. 18 years later of the closure of Libyan poet Khadija Besikri’s women’s literary salon, poet Hanan Mahfouz opened a women’s literary salon. We spoke to both poets about the women’s literary salons in Libya.

“I wanted to support women who produced”

Libyan poet Khadija Besikri told us the reason why she closed her salon was that she could not travel safely in the city. “I decided to establish Khadija Besikri’s Literary Salon because we, as the Benghazi Literature and Writers Association, held our literary works at home. The association was seen as the only way for writers and poets to create their own literary works. However, we closed the association due to several reasons. My salon was like a women’s forum because many women couldn’t participate in cultural activities due to social pressure. For this reason, I wanted to support women who produced literary works,” she told us.

“Literary salons are essential”

Stating that her salon was not only a space for women but also for all writers and intellectuals, Khadija Besikri said, “Women came together at the salon and they shared their literary works with each other. Not only women poets came there but also feminists who were interested in poetry came to my salon. Such salons are essential and should be established.” She also told us that she has worked with the National Organization of the Women of the Amazon to hold a session about such salons.

She decided to establish a literary salon two years ago

Poet Hanan Mahfouz decided to establish a women's literary salon two years ago. “I decided to establish the salon to support poets and writers. The door of the salon is open for all poets, writers, and plastic artists. We will organize poetry, cultural and literary events, and seminars. All culture and literature lovers will be able to attend these events,” she said. Hanan Mahfouz wants all closed women’s literary salons to be reopened.