Khaled KHALIFA Two days ago, Khaled Khalifa sent me his address below in Arabic. He needed it to be translated into French and English for starters. His aim was for it to reach as many people as possible. Less than 48 hours later, I find his address on @arablit’s blog, and I receive an e-mail from Transworld, his publisher in the UK. I know the internet sometimes makes wonders. But I’m still amazed at his voice being heard!

RAYA now proudly represents the list of the Lebanese house Dar al saqi. Go to the ‘Clients’ list’ in the menu, and stay updated with authors and titles from their wide list that we will be putting the spot lights on!

The news below was taken from the IPAF’s website. Our favorite literature blogger is attending the conference in Cairo and should get back later today with some further insight!

In the months spanning from March to July, Samar Yazbek, then in Damascus, kept a diary, where she took note of events she witnessed, people she talked to, and her impressions. This diary is now turned into a book.

On December 26, 2011, Syria had its deadliest day since mid-March. One hundred civilian deaths, according to the Syrian Observatory of Human Rights. On the 29th, despite the presence of the Arab League observers in the country, the security forces have launched nail bombs on the crowd on the Great Mosque square in Duma. On December 31st, hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets again in the country. There have been dozens of deaths.

This disappointing attitude of the regime characterized the scene of a strange Syrian surrealism.The observer has the feeling to read a long and repetitive novel in which are reproduced the same mechanical and foolish scenes and actions of the regime. On the other hand, instead, we find the thuwar (the revolutionaries, ed.) constituting the bright party, with songs and dances borrowed from the rich Syrian tradition. The Syrian people has fueled this revolution with a river of blood paid daily by flocks fallen, among the best sons of Syria, and continues to pay this high price, after waiting in vain for an international rescue.