Rim Battal debuts novel on social expectations at Hassan II Foundation event

Author Rim Battal is set to unveil her debut novel, «I Will Look Myself in the Eyes» (Bayard, 2025), on Thursday, October 30, at Espace Rivages, the headquarters of the Hassan II Foundation for Moroccans Living Abroad in Rabat. Drawing from personal experience, the novel delves into «the weight of social and familial expectations through the tale of a young Moroccan woman compelled to obtain a virginity certificate». This literary gathering will be guided by poet Soukaina Habiballah.

Rim Battal, a multifaceted artist, poet, journalist, and novelist, was born in 1987 in Casablanca and currently resides in France. A graduate of the Higher Institute of Information and Communication (ISIC) in Rabat, she furthered her studies at the Superior School of Journalism (ESJ) in Paris before embracing writing and artistic photography, as highlighted by the event organizers. In 2013, she participated in residencies at the Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris and the IWA Studio in Casablanca. Two years later, she ventured into poetry with her first collection, «Twenty Poems and Some Dust» (LansKine).

Following her initial foray into poetry, Rim Battal released «Latex» (2017), «Public Transport» (2019), and «Bathwater» (Supernova, 2019). She also penned «The Quatrains of the All-Inclusive» in 2021 and «Mine de rien» in 2022 (Le Castor Astral), as well as «Apple Girl» (Kulte Editions, 2023). «I Will Look Myself in the Eyes» marks her first venture into the realm of novels.

In her work, Rim Battal explores «personal and collective experiences, often touching on the social, political, or intimate struggles faced by women». She focuses particularly on «the condition of women in patriarchal societies», weaving together writing, poetry, photography, and performance to convey her message.