“The longest exile is exile of the heartThe only passage for return is love”― Mohja Kahf, E-mails from Scheherazad “[He] [w]ent deep into the cave where wounded men go when they walk around not talking to anyone about what's happening to them on the inside. Also known as Terre Haute.” "Liar," she says to the … Continue reading Literature of Exile: Mohja Kahf
The Clothesline Swing by Ahmad Danny Ramadan is one of those books that makes me feel privileged just to have gotten the chance to read it. One of the most amazing things about reading (and there are many) is how it allows you to get a glimpse into other people’s lives and places that you … Continue reading #GlobalPRIDELitMonth: The Clothesline Swing, a Gay Syrian Love Story
Reviewed by Professor Mahmoud Zain al-Abidin Two years ago, The Battle for Home : Memoir of a Syrian Architect was released in the English language by Thames & Hudson publishers in London. The writer, Syrian architect Marwa al-Sabouni, shared in her book illustrations for the architectural buildings in her city, Homs, the third largest city … Continue reading The Battle for Home: The Memoir of a Syrian Architect
Dina Mousawi and Itab Azzam have created something to treasure: a practical recipe book that allows us to create at home some of the most delicious cuisine in the whole Mediterranean region, interwoven with the profoundly moving stories of the women who have taught them the recipes, all served up with wide variety of memories … Continue reading Syria: Recipes from Home
This stunning work of art is a four-year labour of love by an artist who has clearly drawn on an enormous range of personal sources and media to populate and complicate his rich and compelling graphic novel. Freedom Hospital doesn’t claim to be comprehensive, or objective, or a documentary — but nor does it claim … Continue reading Freedom Hospital
This unique picture book was inspired by the stone artwork of Syrian artist Nizar Ali Badr, discovered by chance by Canadian children’s writer Margriet Ruurs. The author was immediately impressed by the strong narrative quality of Mr. Badr’s work, and, using many of Mr. Badr’s already-created pieces, she set out to create a story … Continue reading Stepping Stones: A Refugee Family’s Journey
Hasan al-Nifi's photo “A Flower from my Country” by Hasan al-Nifi Oh, flower It has lost her dew suddenly The heart’s tears flowed into its vein She scavenges from soil pain and sips Embers of catastrophe from the silt of its depths Her roots’ pulse has watered the earth’s wounds Its tenderness … Continue reading Ports of Soul
Haitham Hussein‘s latest novel, A Weed in Paradise (July 2017 Masciliana Editions), traces the footprints of the Kurds who fled their towns and villages in the north of Syria for the suburbs of the capital Damascus after the 2004 Qamishli uprising, which resulted in dozens of dead and thousands in prison: The novel, narrated by a marginalized woman, follows … Continue reading A Weed in Paradise
The collection Insights into Syrian Cinema was conceived of as a companion catalogue to a showcase of Syrian cinema that traversed major US cities beginning in 2003. The concept of a book became obvious when the curator and editor Rasha Salti recognized the dearth of sources on Syrian cinema in English. The selection of writings … Continue reading Insights into Syrian Cinema: Essays and Conversations with Contemporary Filmmakers
One of my favorite things about traveling and exploring different cultures is trying new foods. Cooking and eating are a staple of every way of life, and yet the endless ways in which ingredients and spices can be combined fascinates me. Things get even more interesting when cultures meet: a chef moves from Syria … Continue reading Malakeh
Global Literature in Libraries Initiative 