Personal Info
- Country of residence: Palestine
Information
Maya Abu Al-Hayat (1980) is a Palestinian novelist, poet, storyteller, and translator, born in Beirut. She has published three novels and three collections of poetry. Her books have gained worldwide recognition and some of her stories have been translated into different languages. Abu Al-Hayat also worked as an actress, and ran the Palestine Writing Workshop. Abu Al-Hayat played a prominent role in the field of children's literature, as she wrote and presented television programs for children, including “Iftah Ya Simsim”, and was distinguished for her writing of children's stories.
personal life
Abu al-Hayat was born to a Lebanese mother and a Palestinian father.
Abu Al-Hayat moved between Amman and Tunisia before settling in the occupied Palestinian city of Jerusalem with her family.
Abul Hayat created her own family, and gave birth to Kayan, Katherine, and Mia.
education
She obtained a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from An-Najah National University in Nablus in 2003.
Professional biography
Abu Al-Hayat worked as a storyteller and actress, as she played a role in the movie “Love, Theft and Other Problems” directed by Muayad Alyan. She also headed the Palestine Writing Society, which specializes in encouraging reading by organizing programs to teach creative writing, and producing stories for children and adolescents. In addition, she managed the Palestine Writing Workshop.
Abu al-Hayat wrote novel, poetry, and children's stories. She published her first novel, “Sugar Beans” in 2004, and followed it with her first collection of poetry, “What She Said in It” in 2007. She made contributions to the field of children’s literature, writing for several children’s television programs, including “Iftah Ya Simsim” and producing with them a group of stories, including “Masouda.” The Turtle” and “Kiki and Coco at the Clinic.” For many years, she presented children's programs such as “Farhan and Friends” on Palestine TV. Some of her stories have been translated into other languages, including “A Bedtime Story” into Swedish and published in Sweden, and “Pool of Blue Questions” into English and published in the USA. Abu al-Hayat has also translated a number of international novels into Arabic, including “Kolka” by Bengt Olson, “The Old Man Who Broke All Barriers” by Kathryn Engelmann, and “The Red Bird” by Astrid Lindgren.
Her authors
Novels
“Grains of Sugar”, The Palestinian House of Poetry, Ramallah, 2004.
“A threshold of heavy spirit”, Ugarit Foundation, 2011.
“When My Father Returns – The Sixth Stage – Beginner”, Asala Publishers, Beirut, 2014.
“Home Dresses and Wars,” Al-Ahlia for Publishing and Distribution, Amman, 2016.
“Nobody Knows His Blood Type,” Dar Al-Adab, Beirut, 2017.
“Glitter”, Al-Mustawasit Publications Library, Baghdad, 2018.
Children's Stories
“A Bedtime Story”, Tamer Institute for Community Education, Ramallah, 2011.
Masouda the Turtle, Dar Al-Hudhud for Publishing and Distribution, Dubai, 2015.
“Kiki and Coco in the Clinic”, Dar Al-Hudhud for Publishing and Distribution, Dubai, 2015.
“The Pool of Blue Questions,” Palestine Writing Workshop, Ramallah, and Al-Mustawasit Publications Library, Baghdad, 2016.
“Felfoul in the House of the Ghoul,” Palestine Writing Workshop, Ramallah, 2016.
“Questions in a Suitcase,” Change Association, 2016.
Bashour, Change Association, 2017.
“The Chef of Words,” Change Association, 2017.
Walid, 2020.
Poetry collections
“What She Said About Him,” Palestinian House of Poetry Publications, 2007.
“That smile.. that heart,” Dar Raya for publishing and translation, Haifa, 2012.
its translations
“The Red Bird” by Astrid Lindgren, Tamer Institute for Community Education, 2012.
“Kolca” by Bengt Olsson, Dar Al Mona, Giza, 2017.
“The Old Woman Who Broke All Barriers,” by Catherine Engelmann, Dar Al-Muna, Giza.
Grant
Abu Al-Hayat received the “Afaq” grant granted by the Arab Culture Fund for the novel “No One Knows His Blood Type”, 2011.
source
Achievements and Awards
- Years in active
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