When a Place Becomes a Memory: An Exploration of Hamid Oqabi’s Eurydice on the Night of Al Razem

When a Place Becomes a Memory: An Exploration of Hamid Oqabi’s Eurydice on the Night of Al Razem
Mohammed Al-Mekhlafi
Eurydice on the Night of Al Razem :Short Novel of Hamid Oqabi
The wall clock with the white frame ticks slowly. Its erratic movement halts in the evening before reaching seven. My heart races and all my senses focus on the door as I hear a step on the stairs. I hold my breath, comforting myself with the hope of a night rich in life and love.

With these words, the Yemeni writer and intellectual residing in Paris, Hamid Oqabi, opens his novel “Eurydice on the Night of Al Razem,” depicting the slow rhythm of the clock’s hands as a symbol of the suffocating wait experienced by the displaced. This wait, which might be for the return of a loved one´-or-for the homeland, is characterized by stagnation, as if time has completely stopped.

As the sound of footsteps approaches, his tension and anxiety heighten, reflecting his profound yearning for re-union-. However, he faces a feeling of illusion, haunted by the fear that the one he awaits may never return, highlighting the depth of isolation and alienation he suffers from.

His desire for a night filled with life and love underscores his longing for home and warmth, making this yearning a part of his identity as a displaced person, shaping his aspirations and suspended hopes. Therefore, the excerpt embodies the psychological struggle and conflicting emotions experienced by the displaced, emphasizing the experience of estrangement that forms an integral part of his daily reality.

Oqabi begins his novel with a dedication to all Eurydices, those who strive for light despite the harshness and ugliness of darkness. This is followed by a note of thanks and appreciation to Yemeni poet and publisher Dr. Ahmed Al-Falahi and his creative institution, Atyaf Cultural Network for Studies, Translation, and Publishing.

This is followed by a preface to the novel by Dr. Hatem Mohammed Al-Shamea, who highlights the complexities of displacement, memory, and identity, noting the intertwining of personal and collective struggles within the narrative. Oqabi draws upon the classical myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, reshaping this myth within the context of Yemeni cultural memory, and adding a human depth to the tale.

Dr. Al-Shamea also addresses the symbolism of exile, representing an underworld where memory unfolds. The novel explores questions of belonging and identity in the face of alienation, focusing on a non-linear narrative style and lyrical language that gives the text a mythological quality. The symbolism in the novel reflects the experiences of displacement and highlights the complex emotions individuals endure.

Dr. Al-Shamea also discusses Yemeni identity and social and political upheavals, indicating that the novel transcends local context to address universal human themes such as loss and longing. Dr. Hatem considers the novel a distinguished work in contemporary literature, merging myth and modernity while artistically highlighting cultural tensions.

The novel [novelette] is 57 pages long and is one of the very short novels, published by Atyaf Cultural Network for Studies, Translation, and Publishing in Morocco in 2024. It features six main chapters that clearly embody feelings of displacement and alienation through the psychological struggle faced by the displaced. In these chapters, nostalgia intertwines with waiting, making the longing for home an inseparable part of identity. The narrator’s feeling of illusion is reflected in the realization that the one he waits for will not come, underscoring the displaced’s depth of isolation.

A moment of transformation occurs with the arrival of Simon, the elderly neighbor’s cat, who symbolizes nostalgia and connection to the past. The tale told by the neighbor about the cat with the boots reflects the idea of intelligence and the ability to overcome difficulties, a message that resonates in the lives of displaced individuals striving to find ways to survive and succeed in harsh circumstances.

The text shifts to more complex emotions as the moon peers through the narrator’s window, embodying moments of stillness and reflection, while the butterfly fluttering its wings represents the turmoil experienced in daily life. The focus on the day of promise, which symbolizes hope and anticipation, also carries the burden of waiting. Moments of evasion are evident in his conversation with the vendor, where the flowers and roses reflect the narrator’s wishes and desires for love and connection. However, the failure to find the red carnation symbolizes the failure to achieve those wishes.

The encounter with Firdous in the bar represents the climax of internal conflict, where old feelings of love intertwine with the reality of separation. The painting formed from pain reflects the existential struggle faced by the narrator and expresses how art can mirror the deepest human emotions.

In Hamid Oqabi’s text, stories and feelings intertwine to narrate a complex human experience, where displacement means not only the loss of place but also the loss of identity and hope, transforming moments into chapters of pain and longing. Through a smooth and insightful language, Oqabi provides a glimpse into the human spirit in the face of challenges, making the novel a vivid embodiment of the suffering of the displaced in an age of diaspora.

The environment and time profoundly affect individuals’ lives and experiences, forming a backthat cannot be ignored in shaping identity and culture. The environment, encompassing nature, urban life, and community, plays a pivotal role in shaping human feelings and orientations. The places where one grows up, whether a small village´-or-a bustling city, leave an im-print- on their soul.

At the same time, time contributes to -dir-ecting the course of events, with each moment carrying new possibilities and old challenges. Temporal changes, from the seasons to life’s fluctuations, impact an individual’s psyche and experiences, creating a sense of continuity´-or-loss. When environment and time intertwine, their effects become evident in human relationships and social interactions, reflecting how specific places and times can weave together a life story rich in experiences and emotions.

In “Eurydice on the Night of Al Razem,” Hamid Oqabi’s style is characterized by smooth and transparent language that reflects deep emotions and the complexities of human experience. Aqbi employs short and clear sentences, making it easy for the reader to

connect with the characters and understand their struggles. The literary images and metaphors are diverse, blending reality with imagination, lending the text a poetic quality infused with beauty.

The power of language to convey emotions realistically is evident as the writer expresses feelings of longing and loss with a style that combines simplicity and depth. The language employs expressive words and details of everyday life, allowing the reader to feel as if they are living the moments alongside the characters. The use of repetition and symbols, such as flowers and paintings, enhances the emotional meanings, making these elements embodiments of larger ideas about love and separation.

The writing is characterized by a focus on the psychological interior of the characters, providing the reader with a window into their feelings and thoughts. Through his distinctive style, Oqabi succeeds in creating an atmosphere of intimacy, where the reader feels the depth of the experiences the characters undergo, transforming the text into a rich human experience that conveys the struggle of existence in a complex world.

Hamid Oqabi is considered one of the prominent names in contemporary literary and artistic circles. His latest work, Eurydice on the Night of Al Razem, marks his third collaboration with Atyaf Cultural Foundation, following the publication of his poetry collection “My Blood Flows in the Cheek of Every Rose” and the successful play “A Rainy Night”

Oqabi has nine recent novels published by Dar Al-Darawish for Publishing and Translation in Germany and Bulgaria, including “The Scale Child,” “The Mother Tree,” and “The Yemeni Ram.” He has also presented a collection of short novels that are marked by depth and boldness, such as “Nurse Dee” and “The Jinn Wardan.” In 2023 and 2024, Aqabi achieved notable activity by releasing 25 books in various fields, including poetry, short stories, plays, and screenwriting.

Moreover, Oqabi has also written in French, with a collection translated into German and a play translated into Italian, in addition to three books in French. With a total of 29 previous books in short stories, plays, and film criticism, his works demonstrate diversity and dedication to creativity, published electronically between 2012 and 2016.

Oqabi founded the Arab-European Forum for Cinema and Theatre at the end of 2018, which remains active through virtual seminars and critical meetings, reflecting his commitment to promoting culture and art. Since 2020, he has ventured into visual arts, holding ten art exhibitions in France and -dir-ecting and producing ten short films, including a cinematic trilogy based on poetic themes.

Hamid Oqabi’s career embodies a distinguished journey in the realm of creativity, continuously enriching the cultural scene with his diverse and innovative works, positioning him among the leading figures in contemporary literature.

“Eurydice on the Night of Al Razem” transcends the boundaries of literature to provoke deep discussions about identity and belonging in times of displacement. The novel reflects the experience of displacement as a human journey where pain and hope intertwine, highlighting the importance of memory in shaping identity. It invites the reader to contemplate the meaning of home and human relationships, with feelings of nostalgia and longing remaining connected to the past, bestowing hope for the future. “Eurydice” represents a symbol for all who seek light amidst darkness, making the novel a worthy literary work to read.

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Eurydice on the Night of Al Razem :Short Novel of Hamid Oqabi

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