Elles Publishing House hosted a discussion with writer and poet Mohamed Rasho, in a conversational session that explored his creative journey between poetry and prose.
The event was introduced by writer Ragaa Moussa, who described Rasho’s work as “a series of quiet fractures,” noting that his writing does not present experience as heroism or testimony, but rather from a deeply human position that observes the world as it slips away.
During the discussion, Rasho spoke about his experiences between Syria, Iraq, and the Netherlands, and how he was influenced by Egyptian literature. He emphasized that writing, for him, is a means of survival, offering strength and the ability to endure.
He also reflected on writing across Arabic, Kurdish, and Dutch, addressing the challenges of the language of exile and how it later revealed new linguistic and creative possibilities. Rasho further spoke about his relationship with writing, stating that “a strong absence is better than a weak presence,” and that a writer must remain honest with themselves, writing only when there is a genuine need, and stopping when that need fades.
The evening included poetry and prose readings from his work, alongside reflections on his transition from poetry to short fiction and his experience with translation, in a literary gathering that combined dialogue, readings, and thoughtful reflection on the writing process.
