The International Armenian Literary Alliance, Armenian-American Action Network, Fikra Magazine, Mizna, the Palestine Festival of Literature (PalFest), the Radius of Arab American Writers (RAWI), and Writers Against the War on Gaza are coming together to host a virtual reading titled “Who Remembers?”: Armenian-Palestinian Solidarities. This event aims to denounce the normalization of genocidal violence and show solidarity with those under siege in Gaza. Through the reading of poems, fiction, and personal essays, the event will address historical injustices that have affected both Palestinians and Armenians. It also seeks to oppose Islamophobia, anti-Arab racism, antisemitism, and anti-Armenian racism. Registration is required for this event.
Currently, Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank are witnessing an escalation of genocidal violence. This ongoing campaign has resulted in the deaths of more than 14,000 Palestinians, including over 5,000 children. Hospitals, schools, and refugee camps have been continuously targeted. Thousands of individuals have been forcibly displaced, reminiscent of the 1948 Nakba. Similarly, more than 100,000 Indigenous Armenians were bombarded and displaced from the Republic of Artsakh earlier, after facing ethnic cleansing and genocide by starvation. The event aims to raise awareness and demand justice for these atrocities.
Throughout liberation struggles, poets and writers have played an important role in bearing witness, remembering, and demanding justice. This virtual reading is organized by the International Armenian Literary Alliance, the Armenian-American Action Network, Fikra Magazine, Mizna, PalFest, RAWI, and Writers Against the War on Gaza. It will take place on December 10 at various times to accommodate different time zones. The event will also serve as a fundraiser for Palestine Legal and All for Armenia.
The readers and co-organizers of this event are well-known individuals in the literary world. Nancy Agabian, Mashinka Firunts Hakopian, Sophia Armen, Nancy Kricorian, Micaela Kaibni Raen, and Mai Serhan will all take part in the reading. Each of them has made significant contributions through their writing and activism.
Organizations co-hosting this event include the International Armenian Literary Alliance, the Armenian-American Action Network, Fikra Magazine, Mizna, PalFest, RAWI, and Writers Against the War on Gaza. These organizations are dedicated to promoting literature, advocating for various causes, and supporting communities.
The International Armenian Literary Alliance focuses on fostering the development and distribution of Armenian literature in the English language. They have members from diverse backgrounds and aim to overcome language barriers. The Armenian-American Action Network fights against anti-Armenian racism and advocates for civil rights, immigrant rights, and refugee rights. Fikra Magazine is an online Palestinian literary magazine that publishes essays, stories, poetry, and visual art in both Arabic and English. They prioritize editorial independence. Mizna serves as a platform for Arab, Southwest Asian, and North African artists to showcase their work. They create a decolonized cultural space and encourage meaningful art. PalFest is a cultural initiative that combats colonialism through language and ideas. They organize annual festivals with international authors collaborating with Palestinian counterparts.
