‘End of era’ for Arab-world bookshop
Independent store was set up by two refugees from Lebanon in 1978
Friday, 6th January 2023 — By Tom Foot
‘It’s the end of an era,’ said Lynn Gaspard, pictured here with her mother Salwa Gaspard – the publishing houses are not affected by the bookshop closure
THE Al Saqi bookshop survived attacks after Salman Rushdie’s The Satanic Verses was published along with devastating damage during last year’s flash flooding.
The independent store in Westbourne Grove – the first Arabic language bookshop in the country – was set up by two refugees from Lebanon in 1978.
It closed for good on December 31 after a combination of recession at home and abroad, combined with increased shipping charges post-Brexit, had finally killed off the business.
“It’s the end of an era,” said manager Lynn Gaspard.
“Founded in 1978 by my parents André and Salwa Gaspard and the late Mai Ghoussoub, Al Saqi was Europe’s largest Middle Eastern specialist bookshop.
“It became a leading light for expatriates, for visitors from across the region keen to obtain works banned in their own countries, and for local readers looking for the best-curated knowledge of the region they could find.
“Al Saqi Books stood for freedom of thought and expression, cultural diversity, exchange of views and empathy with all peoples.
“Nearly 40 years, hundreds of titles, numerous awards, and two imprints later, that legacy lives on in our two publishing houses,” she said.
“It’s a terribly sad moment for my family and for all our friends, authors, customers and readers.”
In an interview with the Publishing Perspectives industry magazine she had told how “taxes became very expensive for Europe, and shipping charges are much higher everywhere”.
The store used to send books to Europe but after the exit from the European Union these costs had tripled, she had said.
It was set up by two friends seeking refuge from the civil war in Lebanon, the late writer and artist Mai Ghoussoub and lawyer André Gaspard.
André’s partner Salwa Gaspard began working in the bookshop in the 1980s and took over management in 2007 after Ghoussoub’s
death at the age of 54.
It was, until its closure, run by Lynn Gaspard.
The writer and activist Tariq Ali said he was “very sad” at the news and added: “Al Saqi was more than a bookshop.
“It was a centre for progressive and other Arab intellectuals who sought exile in London during the civil war in Lebanon and subsequent disruptions in the Arab world.
“It was very good to hear that the publishing house isn’t affected.”
A statement from the shop said: “We are deeply moved by the expressions of love and support we have received following the announcement of the closure of our beloved bookshop… Thank you to everyone who has sent condolences and shared stories.
“Al Saqi was a home away from home for generations of Arabs. Though we are heartbroken to be closing our doors… we also feel proud and honoured to have been able to play a part in your lives in this way.”
