A book titled "We Are Still Here: Voices from Gaza's Student Generation" has been published in Algeria, featuring the stories of 58 university students from Gaza. The book, published by El-Amel editions in Arabic and Amazigh, includes essays, poems and testimonies that reflect the students' experiences during the ongoing genocide. The book was presented at the 29th edition of the Algiers International Book Fair, held on the stand of the National Organization of Book Publishers.
The book was initially published by Daraja Press and was spearheaded by Professor Zahid Pranjol from the University of Sussex in the UK and British historian Jacob Norris. Anissa Haddadi, a doctor in political science and international relations, played a key role in publishing the book in Algeria. The book brings together the voices of Palestinian students who wrote their stories amidst the bombings, forced displacement, famine and destruction of their educational institutions.
According to Professor Zahid Pranjol, the project began with a chance meeting with a Palestinian student, Mohammed Al-Ajez, who was pursuing a master's degree in his department. Al-Ajez's story sparked the idea for the book, which aims to amplify the voices of Gaza's student generation. Pranjol received a message from a Gaza student who had to flee his home due to an evacuation order, only to see his house bombed minutes later.
The book features a range of literary forms, including khawater, or personal meditations, poems, letters and stories that convey the students' experiences from the inside. Hada Mohammad Hemaid, one of the contributors, highlights the importance of writing as a means of coping with the trauma of war and colonization. She emphasizes that khawater provide a unique space for expressing thoughts and emotions.
The Algerian publication of the book has been significant, with Pranjol noting that most Arab countries did not respond positively to the project. He praises Algeria for its support, suggesting that the country may have been the ideal starting point for the initiative. The book's presentation at the Algiers International Book Fair provided a platform for Palestinian students and authors to share their stories.
The book sheds light on the daily struggles of Gaza's students, who face not only bombings but also electricity cuts, famine, displacement and destruction of their universities. The contributors aim to humanize the experience of Gaza's population, often reduced to statistics and media soundbites. By sharing their stories, the students hope to convey the complexity of their reality.
The publication of "We Are Still Here: Voices from Gaza's Student Generation" underscores the resilience of Gaza's student generation, who continue to express themselves through writing despite the challenges they face. The book serves as a testament to the power of literature as a means of resistance and self-expression.
Key points
- The book "We Are Still Here: Voices from Gaza's Student Generation" features 58 university students' stories from Gaza.
- The book was published in Algeria with the help of Anissa Haddadi and Professor Zahid Pranjol.
- The project aims to amplify the voices of Gaza's student generation and provide a platform for their stories.
