A youth initiative in Gaza that spreads the culture of reading among people

“Let us read to them.” Books are read in “public places.”

One of the "Let's Read to Them" cultural sessions inside the Gaza Municipality Park.

Emirates today

“When I look at my mirror hanging in front of me, revealing the nakedness of my soul without any shyness, I remember all the crossings and all the roads I took to reach this reality reflected in front of me. Abdul Mohsen Al-Qattan Cultural Center To the east of Gaza City, a circle was formed for a group of young men and women listening with great interest to the young Palestinian writer Ibrahim Hamdan, who recounted to them with deep passion the book “The Heir to Venus”, which he spread his words within the folds of (144) pages.

“The color of my eyes reminds me of the one who embezzled and deceived to praise the wealth of the auctioneer, by which he is delusional that I live by it. As for the length and curvature of my forefinger, it reminds me of whom the years wrinkled their pale skin while they cared for me, but that scar at the bottom of my chest that does not appear until the moment I enter the catacombs of sleep. Men.” Ibrahim continues to read his literary work in unison from dozens of participants.

This cultural scene, which is formed among the general public, continues for two hours in public places, which provide an opportunity for everyone who wanders inside to participate in listening to the words formulated by its owner, to be a source of inspiration for others so that the culture of reading prevails, large and small, rich and poor.

This cultural session does not end when the author of the book finishes reading his words. On the next day, the same scene is repeated with another book and another author, in another public area in the middle of civil and governmental institutions and houses, such as the Unknown Soldier Park in the center of Gaza City, to attract the largest possible number of passers-by, so that they have The impact on the expansion of public culture.

"Let's read to them," she accompanies the blind

"Let's Read to Them" is a youth cultural initiative. Its owners decided to spread the culture of reading among the general public, due to their reluctance to read books, as a result of the tragedies of the siege and occupation that afflict them, and turn their lives upside down.

The idea of ​​“Let’s Read to Them” had a special story with its owner and coordinator, the young Palestinian writer Sabreen Abu Askar. Many friends asked her to participate in the signing ceremony of her collection of short stories called “Twenty-One Autumn”, which they were unable to attend, so she decided to invite them to discuss her stories in a public place. .

This general invitation was the first fruit of establishing a cultural initiative implemented among the general public, whose members reached (15) young men and women, and they are a group of emerging writers and young people who are fond of reading, according to Sabreen Abu Askar, coordinator of the “Let’s Read to Them” initiative.

Abu Askar told «Emirates Today», in an exclusive interview: «An initiative to read to them is an individual that I put forward as an advertisement on (Facebook) for those who wish to participate in cultural circles, where we host a writer with a selection of one of his literary works, and the initiative is based on the idea of ​​​​supporting local writers from By purchasing a collection of their books within the framework of an interesting cultural session that includes dozens of young men and women in public places such as parks in various areas of the besieged Gaza Strip.

It turned out that during the general cultural sessions, the attendees listen to the writers' literary experiences, which contribute to motivating the young writers and allowing them to acquire more handed-down experiences.

And Abu Askar goes on to say: “We faced some difficulties in providing financing, because we relied on ourselves to provide all the necessary logistical requirements and books, so that we could later obtain small financing that provided support for only three full meetings.”

The "Let's Read to Them" coordinator points out that her initiative has succeeded in attracting some people with visual disabilities, as they listen to a general idea about the book by listening to the experience of its author, explaining that a member of the cultural initiative records the book audio for this category so that he can listen to it smoothly and easily. .

positive impressions

Moving to the center of Gaza City, where the old ancient houses are located next to the historic Al-Omari Mosque, dozens of young men and women gathered inside an ancient restaurant to listen to the novel “The Snow Prisoner” by the Palestinian writer Kamal Sobh.

Young Ibrahim Odeh, a student of political sciences, one of the participants who regularly attended the “Let’s Read to Them” cultural sessions, expressed his happiness at the holding of such initiatives that target young readers and those interested in writing, who pass on their experiences to other attendees.

• A member of the initiative records audiobooks for people with visual impairments.

• Sessions are held between civil and governmental institutions and homes to attract the largest possible number of pedestrians.

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