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Elliott Colla

エリオット・コラ

Eriotto Kora

Profile

Gender
Male
Nationality
United States
Languages
English, Arabic

Career

Occupations
Scholar, Translator, Novelist, Associate Professor
Active Years
1989-

Education

University of California, Berkeley
Unknown
Degree: B.A.
Period: 1985-1989
Year of Graduation: 1989
Country: United States
University of California, Berkeley
Comparative Literature
Degree: Ph.D.
Period: 1995-2000
Year of Graduation: 2000
Country: United States

Awards

Banipal Prize
2009
Work: Gold Dust (translation)
Organization: Banipal Trust
Result: ランナーアップ

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Conflicted Antiquities: Egyptology, Egyptomania, Egyptian Modernity

2007 Scholarly work

A scholarly study examining how Egyptology and Egyptomania have influenced cultural and identity formation in modern Egypt. Includes critical discussions of archaeology, heritage, and representation.

EgyptologyCultural historyModernity

Baghdad Central

2014 Novel

A novel set in turbulent Iraq that portrays political and social upheaval and individual survival. Later adapted into a television series of the same name.

Post-conflict disorderJustice and violenceUrban reconstruction
Adaptations
  • [Television series] Baghdad Central (TV series) (2020)

Bibliography

  • Conflicted Antiquities: Egyptology, Egyptomania, Egyptian Modernity (2007)
  • Baghdad Central (2014)
  • Gold Dust (translation of Ibrahim al-Koni)
  • The Heron (translation of Ibrahim Aslan)
  • Poor (translation of Idris Ali)
  • The Lady from Tel Aviv (translation of Rabai Madhoun)

Adaptations

  • Adaptation of Baghdad Central into a television series (2020)

Translations by Author

  • Gold Dust (by Ibrahim al-Koni)
  • The Heron (by Ibrahim Aslan)
  • Poor (by Idris Ali)
  • The Lady from Tel Aviv (by Rabai Madhoun)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Academic and critical proseTranslations that emphasize original tone and cultural context in English
Recurring Motifs
Empire and colonialismMemory and heritageTransformation of cities and states

Legacy

A scholar and translator who has contributed to introducing Middle Eastern studies and Arabic literature to the English-speaking world. His academic work and translations, alongside a novel adapted for television, have increased his public recognition.

In Popular Culture

  • The novel 'Baghdad Central' was adapted into a TV series, increasing recognition among general audiences

Trivia

  • Serves as an associate professor in the Department of Arabic and Islamic Studies at Georgetown University.
  • Leads the Reading Palestine book club at Lost City Books.
  • His translation of 'Gold Dust' was runner-up for the Banipal Prize in 2009.
  • His novel 'Baghdad Central' was adapted into a television series (2020).
  • Co-editor of the e-zine Jadaliyya.