Simplify the following text for a Grade 15 native English-speaking person.
Original: He was invited to many international literary festivals and conferences : Jordan , Algeria , Libya , Egypt , Iraq , Russia , Yugoslavia , Italy , Franceâ President of the club Â `` Mercredi littÃ raire Â '' in Tunis since 1988 .
Simplified: He was invited to many international literary festivals and conferences : Jordan , Algeria , Libya , Egypt , Iraq , Russia , Yougoslavia , Italy , Franceâ President of the club Â `` Mercredi littÃ raire Â '' in Tunis since 1988 .