Literature

In the past, Libyan literature has been heavily politicized. The Italian occupation at the beginning of the 20th century is where the literary movement in Libya began. The first book of Libyan poetry was written by Sulaiman al-Barouni, a significant player in the country's resistance to Italian rule who also founded the newspaper "The Muslim Lion."

Libyan literature began to concentrate on the struggle for independence after Italy was defeated in World War II. The works of Libyan writers reflect the turbulent decade of the 1960s, which was experienced by that country. Among the most talked-about subjects were social transformation, the division of oil revenue, and the Six-Day War. The Union of Libyan Writers was created by the government in the wake of the coup d'état that installed Muammar al-Gaddafi as ruler in 1969. Following that, literature in the nation adopted a significantly less critical stance toward the executive branch, frequently endorsing rather than criticizing its initiatives.