Arabpop: Italy's First Magazine Dedicated to Arab Art and Culture

Arabpop is Italy's first magazine focused on contemporary arts and literature from Arab countries, launched in autumn 2021. Founded in 2020 by a group of Arabists including researchers Fernanda Fischione, Anna Gabai, Olga Solombrino, Silvia Moresi, and Chiara Comito, the print publication aims to cover cultural shifts stemming from the 2011 Arab revolutions. It features original works by Arab artists and writers, interviews, translations of cultural articles from the Arab press, and reviews of books, films, and music. The magazine operates with semiannual open calls for contributions, with 85% of proposals coming from women. Each issue is curated by guest editors and covers themes like 'Sea' and 'Party', with the latter released in December 2023 amidst crises in Morocco, Libya, and Gaza, prompting a white cover as a sign of mourning. The magazine is printed by Tamu Edizioni with graphic design by Gregorio Turolla. Its logo combines the nazar amulet and the Arabic letter ta' marbuta. Arabpop publishes primarily in Italian but includes original texts for translated poems and works from French and English. The founders express a desire to normalize Arab culture and combat Islamophobia and racism.