Abd el-Salam al-Ujayli was born in 1918 in the northern Syrian city of al-Riqqa, on the Euphrates River. A physician by training, he started a clinic in his home town where he still practices. He was elected to the Syrian Parliament in 1947.
Al-Ujayli is also a prominent literary figure in the Arab world. He has penned more than thirty-five literary works in various genres, as well as scientific papers. His works have been translated into more than twelve languages; he is a frequent participant in international literary and scientific conferences and a seasoned traveler.
"The Lanterns of Seville" is the first English-language translation of this story.