In Memory of Liesl Graz
A Life Committed to Exploring and Understanding the World:
Born in Germany in 1932, Liesl Graz departed her homeland during her childhood and was raised in the United States. Following her undergraduate studies at Wellesley College in Boston, she pursued further education in history at the Sorbonne University in France. In the 1960s, as a married mother of three boys, she embarked on a distinguished career in journalism, contributing to esteemed publications such as Réalités and Santé du Monde, the magazine of the World Health Organisation, Die Zeit (Hamburg), Le Journal de Genève, La Liberté, The Observer (London), and Middle East International (Beirut). She also served as the Swiss correspondent for the British weekly, The Economist, authoring numerous articles focusing on the Middle East and North Africa region.
Her deep interest in the MENA region was sparked during a conference in Bahrain in 1975, where she participated as a communications officer for the International Council on Alcohol and Addictions (ICAA). Over the ensuing years, Liesl Graz embarked on extensive journeys and numerous shorter stays throughout the region, from capital cities to remote locales, including Kurdistan, Sudan, Yemen, and Iran, with a special affinity for the Sultanate of Oman.
Liesl Graz authored four books on the Arab-Persian region: L’Irak au présent (Les Trois Continents, 1979); Les Omanis, nouveaux gardiens du Golfe (Albin Michel, 1981) – published in English as The Omanis: Sentinels of the Gulf (Longman, 1982); Le Golfe des Turbulences (L’Harmattan, 1990) – also published in English as The Turbulent Gulf (Tauris, 1990, revised edition in 1992); and Mon Dîner chez Saddam (L’Harmattan, 2005).
In addition to her journalistic and literary endeavours, Liesl Graz was actively engaged in various professional associations aligned with her interests, including the Foreign Press Association in Switzerland and Liechtenstein, as well as Reporters sans frontières (Reporters Without Borders). Notably, she played a significant role in the establishment of the Swiss Society for the Middle East and Islamic Cultures in 1990.
Perpetuating Liesl Graz’s Legacy:
Liesl Graz passed away in April 2023, leaving behind a legacy of dedication and passion. As a long-standing member of the SSMEIC, she bequeathed our society a sum of 10,000 CHF, thus demonstrating her unwavering commitment to its mission. In accordance with Mrs. Graz’s wishes and following consultation with her descendants, the Committee has decided to allocate these funds to two initiatives: firstly, supporting the production of articles focusing on the MENA region by journalists with Swiss connections; secondly, facilitating the authorship of blog articles aimed at the general public by researchers benefiting from the mentorship of journalists. Preferably, these posts will spotlight the fieldwork of young researchers in a Middle Eastern region where Turkish or Farsi is spoken. This approach not only aligns with the SSMEIC’s objectives in science communication but also serves as a tribute to Liesl Graz’s outstanding journalistic contributions.
The SSMEIC is dedicated to utilising these resources responsibly, in line with its mission and Mrs. Graz’s wishes, while prioritising the safety of the journalists involved. Commencing this year, our blog will feature a dedicated section honouring the Liesl Graz Fund. Through this initiative, the Committee endeavours to perpetuate Liesl Graz’s spirit and honour her memory fittingly. We express our profound gratitude for her ongoing support and remarkable legacy.