Elles: Arab World’s First Feminist Publishing and Art Space Finds Home in Egypt

Nasher

Elles is a feminist publishing house, library and art space; definitely the first-of-its kind in the Arab World perhaps even worldwide that serves as an engine for women’s creativity. Since its establishment two years ago, Elles has committed itself to publishing the literary works of female Arab writers and novelists scattered around the world. The publisher has produced over 35 creative works in genres including poetry, stories and novels created by female writers from Egypt, Syria, Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia, notably poet Dima Hassoun (Syria), Enfouan Fouad (Algeria), Amal Khalif (Tunisia) and Samah Yousfi.

Elles’s founder and a famous Egyptian novelist and playwright, Rajaee Moussa, said that the idea to establish Elles came to her after reading Lolita in Tehran by Iranian novelist, Azar Nafisi.