Wtar publishing house expands Basra’s literary scene
BASRA, January 25 – Omar Al-Saher, owner of Al-Khor Cultural Library, has announced the opening of a new branch of Wtar Publishing House in downtown Basra. This follows its successful debut in Khor Al-Zubair. The library has been lauded by local intellectuals for its significant contributions to the cultural landscape, including nurturing literary and translation talent in Al-Khor.
Speaking to the 964media, Saher said, “I established the library in 2018 to bolster the cultural community in Khor Al-Zubair. The success of this venture led to the founding of Wtar Publishing House. We’ve since expanded into Basra’s city center and are poised to open a branch in Iraq’s largest mall, Basra Mall.”
Saher highlighted the library’s role in fostering the cultural milieu in Al-Khor. “Our efforts have enriched the region’s cultural scene, attracting readers, writers, and translators. Among them are Mortada Nouri, Widad Abdul-Halim, and Hooraya Ihsan, who have translated several international novels into Arabic, subsequently published by Wtar,” he said.
Ahmed Dahr – whose recent titles “One of Them in My Head,” The “Void Philosophy of Self-Hearing,” and “I am Sand and She is Sky,” were published by Wtar – commended the publisher for its integrity and wide distribution across Iraq and at international book fairs.
Translator and author Mortada Nouri also praised Al-Khor Library and Wtar Publishing House for supporting his first literary translation project. His works include a translated collection of short stories, Kafka’s “In the Penal Colony,” and “Island of the Blue Dolphins” by Scott O’Dell.
Basra has a bustling, ever-growing literary and cultural scene, and was last year host to the “world’s largest floating book fair” on a ship moored at the city’s port.
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