Versions- Mem û Zîn [Kurdish, İstanbul, 1968-01-01]
- Mem et Zîn [French, Paris, 2001-01-01]
- Mem û Zîn, a Kurdish romance - I [English, Michigan - USA, 1991-01-01]
- Mem û Zîn, a Kurdish romance - II [English, Michigan - USA, 1991-01-01]
- Mem and Zîn [English, İstanbul, 2008]
- Ehmedê Xanî, Mem û Zîn [Kurdish, İstanbul, 2010]
Mem and Zîn
Ahmed Khani
Avesta
Late in 1987, I was asked by a Publisher if I thought there was a suitable literary work, representing the cultural heritage of the Kurdish people, worthy of translation to English. Unhesitatingly, I said Mem and Zin, adding that it is the Book of the Kurds, based on the epic folk tale Mem Alan that Khani has immortalised in a rich, classical and highly popular poetical story. To my surprise, I was asked there and then, to translate it. Though I welcomed the idea, I was non-committal, knowing the difficult task ahead. A few days later, the publisher and I met by chance, and I was reminded of the proposal. With some apprehension, I accepted, and we set a period of six months as a target to complete the work. It took me, in fact, eight months. It has been a very trying work indeed.
The main difficulty was the lack of ... | 
