2011 05 13 - IIC - Clash of Civilizations over an elevator in Piazza Vittorio.

Amara Lakhous was born in Algers in 1970. He has a degree in philosophy from the University of Algiers and another in cultural anthropology from the University Ia Sapienza, Rome (Italy). He recently completed a Ph.D. thesis entitled Living Islam as a Minority. His first novel, Le cimici e il pirata (Bedbugs and the Pirate) was published in 1999. The novel Clash of Civilzations Over an Elevator in Piazza Vittotio, winner of Italy's prestigious Flaiano Prize, is his second novel. He lives in Italy.

Lakhous and his work will be presented to a Singaporean audience by the Italian Cultural Institute and The Literary Centre (TLC) in a series of talks between 12th and 14th May.

After his stay in Singapore, Lakhous will proceed to Australia to participate in the Sydney's Writer's Festival.