The state of literature in the city of Al-Bayda before the revolution

(The crisis of political writing and the margin of freedom)

Abstract

This article attempts to unravel the intricate relationship between literature and politics in a country governed by military ideology, where there is no distinction between expressing one's opinion and being accused of betrayal. The study focuses on Libya before the revolution, centering around the verification of political writings by Libyans during this period. This task proved to be neither straightforward nor exceedingly challenging. The difficulty lies in assembling reliable sources to support an opinion or confirm active participation in this field. All previous publications were disseminated on online platforms that are now closed, leaving no room to verify the accurate documentation of their publication history or circumstances. These publications remain stored on the devices of their creators. Consequently, extracting something well-documented and resistant to change or substitution becomes an extremely challenging task. The study was conducted cautiously and with vigilance, carefully selecting examples to encompass various forms of literature in different circumstances. It includes explicit and symbolic writings, ranging from poetry to short stories, reflections, and articles. Emphasis is placed on highlighting the distinction between those who approached critique of the situation, influencing people's perspectives, and those whose contributions went unnoticed, achieving no significant change.