For the next issue of the "Dvoetochie" ("The Colon") Russian Israeli literary magazine, I was asked to reflect on the topic of "Apocalypse". What it is, how it relates to our present, what role literature could play in the times of the end, and how our relations with literature and reading changes for after certain tragic and seminal points in time.
#tv “Aljazeera World” is a very impressive documentaries series, with lots of original content exploring #MENA. Edward Said’s documentary “Out of Place” (2006) aired couple of days ago. It comes across somewhat hagiographical… with many of his colleagues singing his praise, including Noam Chomsky, Rashid Khalidi, Ilan Pappe and more.
What caught my eye was the archive material, especially audio/visual from his family home in upscale Talbiya (الطالبية, one of the most expensive neighborhoods in #Jerusalem still today) makes the phrase “A land without a people for a people without a land” (which was allegedly coined by a Christian #Zionist) sound VERY cruel.
Excerpt from "A Day in the Life of Abed Salama: A Palestine Story"
"Milad is five years old and excited for his school trip to a theme park on the outskirts of #Jerusalem, but tragedy awaits: his bus is involved in a horrific accident. His father, Abed, rushes to the chaotic site, only to find Milad has already been taken away. Abed sets off on a journey to learn Milad's fate, navigating a maze of physical, emotional, and bureaucratic obstacles he must face as a #Palestinian."
A couple of days ago I had a 15,5km walk around Jerusalem (more photos to follow) with a backpack full of books — partly courtesy of a bookcrossing spot on HeHalutz and partly courtesy of the nicest Jerusalem professor of linguistics I visited in the morning.
I'm planning to make it (whatever it is) a semi-regular thing.