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In Syria, culture has become a critical line of defence
against tyranny.
Syria Speaks is a celebration of a people determined to
reclaim their dignity, freedom and self-expression. It
showcases the work of over fifty artists and writers who
are challenging the culture of violence in Syria. Their
literature, poems and songs, cartoons, political posters
and photographs document and interpret the momentous
changes that have shifted the frame of reality so drastically
in Syria.
Moving and inspiring, Syria Speaks is testament to the
courage, creativity and imagination of the Syrian people.
A unique anthology providing a window into Syrian art and
writing since the uprising. Contributors include
internationally renowned artists and writers, such as
Ali Ferzat, Samar Yazbek, Khaled Khalifa and Robin Yassin-Kassab.
The book includes 108 colour illustrations.
against tyranny.
Syria Speaks is a celebration of a people determined to
reclaim their dignity, freedom and self-expression. It
showcases the work of over fifty artists and writers who
are challenging the culture of violence in Syria. Their
literature, poems and songs, cartoons, political posters
and photographs document and interpret the momentous
changes that have shifted the frame of reality so drastically
in Syria.
Moving and inspiring, Syria Speaks is testament to the
courage, creativity and imagination of the Syrian people.
A unique anthology providing a window into Syrian art and
writing since the uprising. Contributors include
internationally renowned artists and writers, such as
Ali Ferzat, Samar Yazbek, Khaled Khalifa and Robin Yassin-Kassab.
The book includes 108 colour illustrations.
Price: $18.95
Pages: 328
Publisher: Saqi Books
Imprint: Saqi Books
Publication Date:
18 November 2014
Trim Size: 8.13 X 5.75 in
ISBN: 9780863567872
Format: Paperback
BISACs:
An extraordinary collection, revealing a dynamic and exciting culture in painful transition – a culture where artists are really making a difference ... You need to read this book.’ Brian Eno
‘A remarkable book – a wise, courageous, imaginative and beautiful response to all that is ugly in human behaviour.’ A.L. Kennedy
'An English Pen Award winner, this anthology forms a rich, creatively diverse motif sublimely representative of a country and its people awash in strife and insurgency.' Kirkus
‘An invaluable and deeply moving testimony to resistance ... this work clamours for liberty and turns its back not only on tyranny but on religious division’ Independent
‘A remarkable collection' The Art Newspaper
Malu Halasa: Malu Halasa is an editor and writer based in London. Her books include The Secret Life of Syrian Lingerie: Intimacy and Design(Chronicle, 2008), with Rana Salam. She co-curated three exhibitions of Syria’s art of resistance in 2012–13 in Amsterdam, Copenhagen and London.
Zaher Omareen: Zaher Omareen is a Syrian writer, who has worked on independent cultural initiatives in Syria and Britain. He is a PhD candidate in Contemporary Documentary Cinema and New Media at Goldsmiths College, London.
Nawara Mahfoud: Nawara Mahfoud is a Syrian freelance journalist who has worked for the New York Times. She blogs for the New Yorker’s website, among other publications. She was a co-curator of the Culture in Defiance exhibition in Amsterdam, Copenhagen and London.
Zaher Omareen: Zaher Omareen is a Syrian writer, who has worked on independent cultural initiatives in Syria and Britain. He is a PhD candidate in Contemporary Documentary Cinema and New Media at Goldsmiths College, London.
Nawara Mahfoud: Nawara Mahfoud is a Syrian freelance journalist who has worked for the New York Times. She blogs for the New Yorker’s website, among other publications. She was a co-curator of the Culture in Defiance exhibition in Amsterdam, Copenhagen and London.
Contents:
Introduction vii
Hama ’82 1
Gateways to a Scorched Land, Samar Yazbek 2
Ongoing, Sulafa Hijazi 10
The Thieves’ Market, Ossama Mohammed 17
Lettuce Fields, Khaled Khalifa 27
Revolution 2011; Chicken Liver, Khalil Younes 36
Between the Cultures of Sectarianism and Citizenship,
Hassan Abbas 48
Banners in the Colour of the Euphrates, Kartoneh 60
The Art of Persuasion, Alshaab alsori aref tarekh & Charlotte Bank 66
The Symbol and Counter-Symbols in Syria, Zaher Omareen 84
Cartoons by Kafranbel, Photographs by Mezar Matar 102
Mystery Shopper: Interview with Assaad al-Achi, Malu Halasa 104
Popular Collision, Omar Alassad 112
Lens Young 118
A Black Cloud in a Leaden White Sky, or Death by Stabs of Sorrow,
Ali Safar 130
Literature of the Syrian Uprising, Robin Yassin-Kassab 138
Loneliness Pampers Its Victims, Dara Abdullah 145
Have You Heard the Testimonies of the Photographs, about the
Killings in Syria?, Fadia Lazkani 149
Regarding the Pain of Others and Damascus 15 Feb 2012 19:47:31,
Khaled Barakeh, Photographs by Jens Steingässer 157
I’m Positively Sure about the Event, Rasha Omran 165
Two Cartoons, Ali Ferzat 168
On the Intellectual and the Revolution:
An interview with Yassin al-Haj Saleh 172
Cocktail, Comic4Syria 181
Lifetimes Stolen, Yara Badr 192
Letter for the Future, Mazen Darwish 202
Daily Occurrences, Mohamad Omran & Golan Haji 205
Song in the Revolution 210
‘Come on Bashar, Get Out!’, Qashoush 211
‘Female Refugees’, Monma, Al-Raas and Al Sayyed Darwish 214
The Lure of the Street, Hani al-Sawah 220
Tashriqa: Prayer for Homs, Faraj Bayrakdar 222
From the Outside Looking In, Daniel Gorman 224
Youssef from the Inside, Paintings by Youssef Abdelke,
Photographs by Nassouh Zaghlouleh 235
Art & Freedom, Amer Matar & Artists 240
Syria’s Imperfect Cinema, Chad Elias & Zaher Omareen 257
Who Wants to Kill a Million?; Top Goon: Diaries of a Little Dictator,
Masasit Mati 269
A Plate of Salmon is Not Completely Cleansed of Blood,
Rasha Abbas 276
The Smartest Guy on Facebook, Aboud Saeed 279
Stencilling Martyrs 284
Acknowledgements 290
About the Contributors, Translators and Editors 291
Permissions 299
Index 303
Introduction vii
Hama ’82 1
Gateways to a Scorched Land, Samar Yazbek 2
Ongoing, Sulafa Hijazi 10
The Thieves’ Market, Ossama Mohammed 17
Lettuce Fields, Khaled Khalifa 27
Revolution 2011; Chicken Liver, Khalil Younes 36
Between the Cultures of Sectarianism and Citizenship,
Hassan Abbas 48
Banners in the Colour of the Euphrates, Kartoneh 60
The Art of Persuasion, Alshaab alsori aref tarekh & Charlotte Bank 66
The Symbol and Counter-Symbols in Syria, Zaher Omareen 84
Cartoons by Kafranbel, Photographs by Mezar Matar 102
Mystery Shopper: Interview with Assaad al-Achi, Malu Halasa 104
Popular Collision, Omar Alassad 112
Lens Young 118
A Black Cloud in a Leaden White Sky, or Death by Stabs of Sorrow,
Ali Safar 130
Literature of the Syrian Uprising, Robin Yassin-Kassab 138
Loneliness Pampers Its Victims, Dara Abdullah 145
Have You Heard the Testimonies of the Photographs, about the
Killings in Syria?, Fadia Lazkani 149
Regarding the Pain of Others and Damascus 15 Feb 2012 19:47:31,
Khaled Barakeh, Photographs by Jens Steingässer 157
I’m Positively Sure about the Event, Rasha Omran 165
Two Cartoons, Ali Ferzat 168
On the Intellectual and the Revolution:
An interview with Yassin al-Haj Saleh 172
Cocktail, Comic4Syria 181
Lifetimes Stolen, Yara Badr 192
Letter for the Future, Mazen Darwish 202
Daily Occurrences, Mohamad Omran & Golan Haji 205
Song in the Revolution 210
‘Come on Bashar, Get Out!’, Qashoush 211
‘Female Refugees’, Monma, Al-Raas and Al Sayyed Darwish 214
The Lure of the Street, Hani al-Sawah 220
Tashriqa: Prayer for Homs, Faraj Bayrakdar 222
From the Outside Looking In, Daniel Gorman 224
Youssef from the Inside, Paintings by Youssef Abdelke,
Photographs by Nassouh Zaghlouleh 235
Art & Freedom, Amer Matar & Artists 240
Syria’s Imperfect Cinema, Chad Elias & Zaher Omareen 257
Who Wants to Kill a Million?; Top Goon: Diaries of a Little Dictator,
Masasit Mati 269
A Plate of Salmon is Not Completely Cleansed of Blood,
Rasha Abbas 276
The Smartest Guy on Facebook, Aboud Saeed 279
Stencilling Martyrs 284
Acknowledgements 290
About the Contributors, Translators and Editors 291
Permissions 299
Index 303