About Banipal
Banipal has published hundreds of contemporary Arab authors in English translation, each magazine issue a wealth of poetry, fiction, interviews, book reviews, author photographs. In March 2008 Banipal won the UK Incwriters 2008-2010 Award for Outstanding Contribution to Literature (Magazines).
The Banipal – Arab British Centre Library of Modern Arab Literature (BALMAL) was officially opened on 12 January 2010 at a reception to celebrate the 2009 winner of the Saif Ghobash–Banipal Prize for Arabic Literary Translation. It is the first lending library for literature from the Arab world, translated into English or written originally in English. It is housed at 1 Gough Square, London EC4A 3DE.
“Banipal is almost my chief source of information about current Arabic writing and cultural events. Without Banipal I would be much less well-read. Its past issues constitute an incomparable archive.” – Robert Irwin
“A combination of newly awakened curiosity about the Arab world and the tireless efforts of Banipal, an independent magazine committed to making Arab authors available to an English readership, may be about to extend our horizons.” – Stephanie Merritt, The Observer
Banipal takes its name from Ashurbanipal, last great king of Assyria and patron of the arts, whose outstanding achievement was to assemble in Nineveh, from all over his empire, the first systematically organised library in the ancient Middle East. The thousands of clay tablets of Sumerian, Babylonian and Assyrian writings included the famous Mesopotamian epics of the Creation, the Flood, and Gilgamesh, many folk tales, fables, proverbs, prayers and omen texts.
Featured Titles
 | Shepherd of Solitude – Selected Poems by Amjad Nasser Shepherd of Solitude is Amjad Nasser's first English collection, translated and introduced by the foremost translator of contemporary Arabic po... £7.95 |  | Banipal 38 – Arab American Authors by Khaled Al-Masri, Sinan Antoon, Allison Blecker... Banipal 38 presents over 150 pages of works by North American authors of Arab origin. £7.00 |
 | Knife Sharpener – Selected Poems by Sargon Boulus Knife Sharpener – Selected Poems is a posthumous commemoration and celebration of Sargon Boulus, in a collection of poems, written between 1991... £7.95 |  | Banipal – One-Year Subscription Renewal by Banipal is an independent literary magazine publishing contemporary authors and poets from all over the Arab world in English translation. £18.00 |
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Contact Details:
w: http://www.banipal.co.ukt: +44 (0)20 7832 1350
f: +44 (0)20 8568 8509
1 Gough Square
London
EC4A 3DE
United Kingdom