The reception of Bialik and his work in North Africa

This article delves into the reception of Haim Naḥman Bialik and his work across Jewish communities in North Africa during the first half of the twentieth century. Unlike studies to date, I do not dwell on any single author or piece; rather, I offer a panoramic perspective, with figures, texts and events. I suggest that the volume of dialogues and historic events revealed in the article, as well as their multiple aspects, speak to North African Jewry’s deep familiarity with Bialik and his work, shedding light on his status as a national bard in the region. Highlighting his status as a cultural icon, the article explores four key aspects: Bialik references in the Jewish North African press during his lifetime and after his death; Bialik’s impact on North African Zionist activists; studies and translations of Bialik’s poetry, as well as North African poetry inspired by his works; familiarity with, and demand for, Bialik’s books.