Untitled No.4 by Ghassan Kanafani

Ghassan Kanafani (b. Acre, 1936 – 1972) was a prominent Palestinian author, politician, journalist and artist. Kanafani is considered to be one of the leading novelist of his generation with his works having been translated in more than 17 languages. Forced to flee out of their hometown by Zionist militias, Kanafani and his family settled in Damascus where he completed his secondary education. He moved on to become a teacher for displaced Palestinian children in refugee camps, and schools run by the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).

Kanafani started to establish himself as a writer and artist before he could finish school, utilizing his writing to raise awareness of the suffering of his people. His worldview was molded by his early experiences as a refugee, inspiring him to write about identity, loss, and the fight for justice. By his compelling narratives, he shed light on the individual and communal tragedies encountered by Palestinians, rendering their experiences universal.

Today, Kanafani’s legacy resonates in the hearts and minds of those seeking justice and freedom. His work reminds us of the importance of art as a means of resistance, a way to keep the memory of a people alive in the face of erasure. Through his works, he has become a beacon of hope, inspiring generations to raise their voices and stand firm against oppression.