Palestinian American Writers Speak
On Rememberance: When Words Become Our Strength

1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall
Auditorium

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For many Palestinian American poets, memoirists, and novelists, writing is a turbulent process, one met with obstacles, including censorship and a publishing industry that often seems closed to their voices. Six award-winning Palestinian American writers will discuss their experiences: What motivates them? What makes them hesitate? What issues do they confront when writing for a largely non-Palestinian audience? How do they articulate their identity in times of devastation? What role does literature play when Palestinian voices are being silenced and threatened with erasure? They will also discuss how words are forms of remembrance and support through unrest and sorrow, as well as the power of community. SUSAN MUADDI DARRAJ is the award-winning author of children and adult books, whose recent work, Behind You is the Sea, was named a most-anticipated book of 2024 by Apple Books, The New Yorker, Ms Magazine, and more. She won the highest prize awarded by the Maryland State Arts Council Independent Artists Award for literature. Renowned poet Naomi Shihab Nye expressed gratitude for Susan’s “very necessary, beautiful work.” NAJLA SAID is an actor, playwright, and the author of Looking For Palestine: Growing Up Confused in an Arab-American Family. The much-praised memoir about her childhood in New York is based on her solo Off-Broadway show “Palestine” which sold out for 9 weeks. ZEINA AZZAM is a writer, editor, and poet laureate of Alexandria, Virginia, whose most recent collection is Some Things Never Leave You. Zeina is a mentor for We Are Not Numbers, a writing program for youth in Gaza, and volunteers for Grassroots Alexandria, advocating for the civil rights of vulnerable communities. ETAF RUM’s debut novel, A Woman Is No Man, garnered attention as a Today Show Read. With her latest novel, Evil Eye, recognized as an NPR Best Book of the Year, Etaf Rum “solidifies her position as a leading voice in literary fiction that transcends continents and histories.” “solidifies her position as a leading voice in literary fiction that transcends continents and histories.” GEORGE ABRAHAM (they/he) is a poet, performance artist, and writer. Their debut poetry collection Birthright won the Arab American Book Award. They are the executive editor of Mizna, and co-editor of HEAVEN LOOKS LIKE US: Palestinian Poetry. LAILA EL-HADDAD is an author, social activist, policy analyst, and journalist. She co-authored The Gaza Kitchen: A Palestinian Culinary Journey and is a leading voice on Gaza as seen in her work which is centered on food, politics, and her life as a Palestinian mother and journalist.

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CityLit Project and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra in partnership with Chesapeake Shakespeare Company present CityLit Festival: Dismantling the Culture of Silence. This celebration of the arts showcases a bevy of leading poets and writers on April 20, 2024. We’re talking fiction, nonfiction, poetry galore, and ways to up the ante on your craft.

Download the CityLit Festival: Dismantling the Culture of Silence flyer.