Yemeni Writers Continue their Creativity in the Diaspora

Hanan Hussein – Sawt Al-Amal (Voice of Hope)

In their journey searching for safety and hope in foreign lands, Yemeni writers have carried their voices to new horizons, far from their homeland. These writers have formed a unique literary phenomenon, blending their rich Yemeni identity with their latest experiences in exile, enriching the Arab cultural landscape.

In this report, we sought to explore the reality of Yemeni literature in the context of the Yemeni conflict, the reasons that have driven most writers to emigrate, identify key figures and their notable achievements, and delve into their journey from challenges to solutions.

The reality of Yemeni writers reflects the cultural diversity they have acquired in their host countries, as it describes the experience of migration and alienation that many Yemenis have lived through; this literature carries within it the anxieties of the homeland and the longing of the expatriate.

We find that the literary field outside Yemen abounds with a great diversity of themes and literary forms; writers present their personal and social experiences there, explore issues of identity and alienation, and address issues of the homeland, art, conflict, and politics, even expressing their hopes and aspirations for a better future for Yemen.

In Reality

“They die as strangers on the pavements of betrayal and denial, living hand to mouth, falling ill until hospitals reject them, and dying in silence and sorrow”, poet Zain Al-Abidin Al-Dhabaibi – one of the Yemeni poets in exile – summarizes in a simple verse, speaking of the suffering of creators under the circumstances we see today.
Al-Dhabaibi believes that the reality of literature lies in its being a collection of fragments and their reflection on the general reality of Yemeni life, which has become unavailable on platforms and stages, as it is on social media, which is the only outlet available to the Yemeni creator.

He adds: “Yemeni literature is in a state of silence, and yet there are some distinguished individuals among the writers and poets, but unfortunately, there is no official support to highlight them.”

He stated that there are many centers abroad, such as the cultural center in Egypt, which hold cultural and literary events aimed at reviving the Yemeni literary scene in exile, but this happens intermittently, all due to the negative impact of the conflict, even abroad.

Sami Al-Shatibi, a Yemeni writer in exile, speaks about the reality of literary life abroad, saying: “Yemeni literature abroad is modest in quantity and quality; the conditions that Yemeni migrants are living through are difficult, from the loss of their homeland to an unstable and insecure life, and this harms the literary production, making it less in quantity and sometimes less in quality compared to what it could have been under more stable circumstances.”

In this context, Shukri Al-Hasani, a writer from Dhamar Governorate, says: “Literature feeds on hardship, and therefore, diaspora can be a contributing factor to the growth of literature, as it reflects that tragic state through poetry or prose.”

Reasons Behind the Migration of Yemeni Writers

Many Yemeni writers have sought to emigrate in search of better job opportunities, especially given the difficult economic conditions in Yemen due to the ongoing conflicts and disputes. Previously, many traveled abroad with the desire to gain skills and knowledge, and to learn about other cultures.

Sami Al-Shatibi emphasizes that one of the most prominent reasons that may have driven writers to travel outside Yemen throughout history is the desire to freely express their ideas and opinions. A writer needs to go far away from the restrictions that may be imposed by the political and social realities within Yemen and provide a more stable environment with better possibilities for literary production. This enables them to focus on their creative work without facing the challenges they might encounter in their homeland.

From Shukri Al-Hasani’s perspective, several reasons have driven Yemenis to emigrate for a long time, most notably poverty, hardship, and the search for ways to make a living, in addition to escaping conflicts.

“Artists Are Mazaina, and Writers Are Akin to Dawshan”

These are two popular phrases commonly used to diminish the status of artists and writers in Yemen, as they imply that they belong to a professions considered contemptible in the country. Zain Al-Abidin Al-Dhabaibi speaks about the factors that might drive writers and others to move to other countries and become estranged from their land, saying, “There are many factors, the foremost being the lack of stability in all aspects of life – material, political, social, and more. The avenues from which the writer used to depend on for sustenance have been closed to him, and various development opportunities have also been closed.”

He adds, “Artists are mazaina and writers are akin to Dawshan, in their view. The lack of awareness of the surrounding environment and the lack of appreciation for the importance of what they do have made writers search for a nurturing environment that enables them to create and produce in other countries. There are a few who were able to thrive outside Yemeni borders due to their feelings of estrangement.”

Zain Al-Abidin elaborates, “The family and the environment surrounding the writer do not encourage or recognize him until he becomes famous and well-known. Before that, he is marginalized and insignificant, which stifles his creativity and breaks him.”

Yemeni Writers in Exile

The distinctive features of Yemeni literature are numerous and varied, including the diversity of language between Classical Arabic and the vernacular, and some foreign languages, in addition to the diversity in literary forms such as poetry, short stories, novels, essays, and critical studies. The main characteristic is highlighting social issues.

Sami Al-Shatibi believes that “There are many prominent names of Yemeni writers in exile, such as Ahmad Al-Saqqaf, Ali Ahmad Bakatheer, Muhammad Abdul-Wali, and many others who have contributed to enriching the Arab literary scene. They produce diverse works that include poetry, short stories, and novels, reflecting their experiences as expatriate writers.”

Many Yemeni writers may contribute to the Yemeni culture dissemination in exile through their works and participation in many cultural and literary events, as well as in their efforts to introduce the world to the ancient Yemeni civilization.

Sami says, “Many literary works produced by Yemeni writers in exile highlight the issues of migration, alienation, and the challenges facing immigrants.”

Al-Shatibi adds, “Muhammad Abdul-Wali’s works are those that shed light on immigrants. His works are among the most prominent that have addressed the experience of the Yemeni immigrant. He has presented profound insights on this subject.”

Similarly, Shukri Al-Hasani explains that there is no immigrant who has not written about his migration, and it may not be a complete work like a book, but the texts are there and in abundance.

Challenges

A group of Yemeni writers believe that there are some challenges they face in exile, including the difficulty of publishing and distributing their work widely, especially under the difficult circumstances facing their homeland. This also includes the loss of connection with the Yemeni reader, which affects the circulation of their work and its impact on society. There are also some linguistic challenges, especially when writing in foreign languages, which can affect the quality of their work.

Among the most prominent challenges mentioned by Shukri Al-Hasani is that the Yemeni writer abroad may face a significant challenge with the loss of belonging, a sense of alienation, and the absence of family and friends. From Zain Al-Abidin’s point of view, the challenges lie in the writer’s feeling of alienation, the loss of motivation, and the inability to produce prolifically because he is a product of his cultural environment and is usually influenced by and affected by the surrounding factors. He cites himself as an example, saying, “I wrote more in my home in Sana’a than in any other place, even in Yemeni governorates, compared to the reality of my writings after leaving Yemen.”

He adds, “There are also no platforms dedicated to publishing literature, and some writers isolate themselves from interaction with writers in the cities they go to, which makes them feel a sense of self-isolation. They cannot also dedicate themselves to literary production because of their commitments to other work.”

Solutions

Speaking of solutions and suggestions, Shukri Al-Hasani says, “We need to establish entities specifically for writers in exile, away from partisanship and regionalism, managed by professionals from within the literary community, and working in coordination with intellectuals in every country in the world to involve them in the Yemeni cultural reality in the country they live in. However, while it is difficult to establish institutions, it is even more difficult to find professionals who hold positions in these institutions without partisanship.”

He adds, “We can provide financial and moral support to Yemeni writers in exile, which could help them overcome the challenges and obstacles they face, through the establishment of funds to support literary creativity. We can also establish online platforms to publish Yemeni literature and organize exhibitions and events dedicated to the literary field. Relevant authorities must facilitate communication between Yemeni writers inside and outside the country, in addition to cooperating with cultural institutions in exile to organize cultural and literary events in which Yemeni writers participate. Yemeni literature should also be taught in Arab and foreign universities to introduce Yemen and its civilizations.”

Finally, Yemeni literature in exile represents a rich cultural heritage that demonstrates the Yemeni people’s resilience and adherence to their identity. It is also a literary and cultural treasure that must be preserved and developed despite the overwhelming circumstances facing Yemen, its land, and its people. This can be achieved by providing the necessary support for Yemeni writers, removing the difficulties they face, and preserving and developing this heritage. Yemeni identity and culture are diverse and indivisible in all their aspects.