Press mentions and literary criticism of Joseph Sultan's work on Serbian literature in Arabic
Joseph Sultan's project to introduce Serbian classical literature to Arabic-speaking readers has received recognition from cultural institutions and literary publications across the Arab world. Below is a curated collection of verified press coverage and media mentions.
"Serbia's literary heritage belongs to the world, not hidden in obscurity. My work is driven by a simple belief: that Serbian stories, Serbian voices, and Serbian culture deserve to reach millions of Arabic readers who would never otherwise encounter them. This is not just translation—it is cultural diplomacy."
— Joseph Sultan, Author & Cultural Translator
Kompas Magazin
Cultural PublicationSerbia
June 1, 2026
Exclusive Interview
Džozef Sultan za Kompas: Prevođenjem Nušića i Sremca gradim most ka arapskim čitaocima
"Joseph Sultan for Kompas: By Translating Nušić and Sremac, I am Building a Bridge to Arabic Readers"
An in-depth interview exploring Joseph Sultan's motivation, methodology, and the cultural significance of introducing Serbian classical literature to the Middle East, focusing on his recent translations of Branislav Nušić and Stevan Sremac.
Key excerpt from the interview: "Moj cilj je da kroz prevodilački rad stvorim trajni most razumevanja između balkanskog kulturnog nasleđa i arapskog sveta. Nušić i Sremac nisu samo književni velikani; oni su glasovi koji nose autentičan duh našeg podneblja, a prevođenje njihovih dela na arapski je čin kulturne diplomatije koji otvara prostor za dublji dijalog."
Kompas Magazin feature on Joseph Sultan's mission to bridge Balkan and Arab literary traditions
About Kompas Magazin:
Kompas Magazin is a specialized digital platform covering regional culture, arts, and creative industries, focused on promoting significant literary initiatives and intellectual exchange across the Balkans.
Nušić, Sremac i Vuk Karadžić prevedeni na arapski jezik
"Nušić, Sremac, and Vuk Karadžić Translated into Arabic"
An extensive feature detailing translator and cultural researcher Joseph Sultan's massive milestone project, making eight canonical works of Serbian literature available across the Arab world and Persian Gulf region for the first time.
Key excerpt from the feature: "Srpska književnost dobila je ovih dana značajan međunarodni iskorak zahvaljujući projektu prevodioca i kulturnog istraživača Džozefa Sultana, koji je na arapski jezik preveo čak osam kanonskih dela srpske književnosti. Na taj način dela Vuka Stefanovića Karadžića, Branislava Nušića, Stevana Sremca i Milovana Glišića prvi put su postala dostupna širokoj publici širom arapskog sveta... Džozef Sultan u svojim projektima ističe da književnost vidi kao oblik kulturne diplomatije i most između naroda."
Bookvar Magazine feature on Joseph Sultan's Balkan-Arab cultural translation initiatives
About Bookvar:
Bookvar is a prominent Serbian online cultural platform dedicated to literature, tracking regional book reviews, international translation projects, and critical essays focusing on cross-cultural diplomacy.
"Joseph Sultan Opens an Arab Window onto Serbian Literature"
A comprehensive analysis of Sultan's work in translating Serbian classical literature, published in the official magazine of Egypt's General Authority for Cultural Palaces (Heiaa Al-Qsar Al-Thaqafa), a ministry-affiliated cultural institution.
Key excerpt from the review: "Through his translations, Sultan succeeds in making Serbian tales comprehensible in Arabic without stripping them of their beautiful strangeness. This is not an easy task in translation... Sultan's project demonstrates a conscious attempt to fill a clear gap in Arabic translation. Books from Serbia and the Balkans generally remain sparse compared to what is translated from other European languages, making such initiatives noteworthy in the context of Arab publishing."
About Misr Al-Mahrousa Magazine:
Misr Al-Mahrousa (Egypt Protected) is the official online cultural magazine published by the General Authority for Cultural Palaces (Heiaa Al-Qsr Al-Thaqafa), an autonomous institution operating under Egypt's Ministry of Culture.
Author of Review: Rabi'a Al-Khatam (Literary Critic & Cultural Analyst)
Misr Al-Mahrousa magazine promotion featuring Joseph Sultan's work on Serbian literature in Arabic translation
Akhbar Al-Modn
Independent PublishingEgypt
May 13, 2026
Book Review
يوسف سلطان يقرأ الحكاية الشعبية الصربية بالعربية
"Joseph Sultan Reads Serbian Folk Tales in Arabic"
A detailed literary review of Sultan's translation work, examining his approach to bringing Serbian folklore to Arabic-speaking audiences. The review praises both the literary merit and the cultural significance of the project.
Key excerpt from the review: "The young writer and translator Joseph Sultan's Arabic version of 'Srpske narodne pripovijetke' represents a striking work, not only because it adds a new book, but because it opens a door onto a popular imagination unfamiliar to most Arab readers... Folk tales are not simply stories told in homes and villages; they are a way of preserving language, memory, and customs."
About the publication:
Akhbar Al-Modn (New Cities News) is an independent Egyptian online publication covering culture, literature, and society. It features literary criticism, reviews, and analysis of contemporary cultural works.
Joseph Sultan's translations are available across major Arabic-language digital platforms, making Serbian literature accessible to readers throughout the Arab world and Arab diaspora communities:
Amazon Kindle — Arabic regional stores and global catalog
Open Library — Open-access multilingual bibliographic database
Goodreads — Arabic-language readers community and discussion forums
Noor Book — Leading Arabic-language digital library platform
Fable — Independent reading and book discovery platform
The Story Graph — Literary tracking and recommendation network
