There was a packed house for the London launch of Just World Books’ Gaza Writes Back, Short stories from Young Writers in Gaza, Palestine yesterday and I’m jealous I couldn’t attend to witness contributing authors’ presentations reading their short stories from this book I love so much.
Jehan Alfarra and Rawan Yaghi were there in person and Editor Refaat Alareer and Yousef M. Aljamal were present on live stream. The launch included video presentations Sameeha Elwan Speaks , Hanan Habashi Speaks and Mohammed Suliman Speaks whose readings, compiled in this video below include dramatic, compelling artistic footage from Gaza:
Just World Books has the full report of the event at their Newsfeed.
And luckily, Just World Books and the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) are facilitating a “Google Hangout on Air” January 30, 2014 at 7:00 pm EST for a conversation with Refaat Alareer, Yousef Aljamal, Rawan Yaghi, and Sarah Ali (all Mondoweiss contributors!) Register here.
Super news! Yay!
Thank you so much, Annie!
Yes, Annie, thanks very much for helping us join the tribute from far away–next best thing to being there. I’m in awe of these young, brave, wise people: thanks to you, Adam, and Phil for letting us hear their rare spirits here at MW–or, not “rare” in Palestine.
To the Authors, All of you teach us about having heart–in both senses, keeping on and feeling for all–whenever you speak, so of course I’ve ordered “Gaza Writes Back.” I can’t wait.
And a special line to Rawan Yaghi: I’m haunted every day by what you told us here: https://mondoweiss.mystagingwebsite.com/2010/12/gaza-two-years-later-a-little-girl.html.
Yes, I feel the same: want to thank each artist who’s already written here–and that goes for all the MW reporters, too, of course~~
Slightly OT .
A glimpse into how Israel treats it,s non Jewish X factor winners.
“It was a fairytale come true when Rose Fostanes won Israel’s X-Factor this week, but now the diminutive Filipina caregiver has been informed that she is not allowed to perform in Israel.
It transpires that Fostanes (47), who came to the country four years ago on a caregiver visa, is not allowed to earn a living except as a caregiver, and cannot perform, even though she is now a household name in Israel.
http://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/middle-east/officials-unmoved-as-israel-s-filipina-x-factor-winner-silenced-by-visa-laws-1.1657727
You do not have a voice here.