Literary Festival--Sweet Dates in Basra
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Inspired by her family’s Jewish roots in Iraq, Jiji’s tale is a poignant tribute to the lost traditions and cultural harmony of Iraq before World War II. The novel tells the story of Kathmiya, an Arab girl sent to work as a servant in the city of Basra. Kathmiya meets Shafiq, a Jewish boy who proves that religion is no barrier to friendship. When British warplanes begin bombing Iraq, the power of an unbreakable childhood bond and a transcendent love must overcome the fractures of a collapsing society.
“Jiji’s tale of star-crossed love is a reminder of the power of the heart over the strictures of tradition.” –Ariel Sabar, author of My Father’s Paradise “The cultural perspective and setting are a nice break from the wartime norm, as is the unexpected ending.” –Publishers Weekly This program is co-sponsored by American Sephardi Federation and Busboys and Poets. See the full line up at washingtondcjcc.org/litfest.
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