The Shadow of the Olive Tree by Yara El-Ghadban

Symbol of Palestinian identity, the olive tree is a call to time and memory. Deep relationship to the earth, the olive tree is the metaphor of a century-old anchoring. This novel, a Palestinian childhood, is a reminder of the part of dream and magic that we too often forget.

It is in the shade of the olive tree that Yuryur's voice resounds. She will soon be ten years old. She evokes the people and things that are dear to her, confiding her secrets and dreams to her friend the Bird. Yuryur takes us on a journey through the cities of her childhood, Dubai, Beirut, Damascus, Sanaa. Despite the war, the bet is on: poetry, music, hope and dignity.

In this luminous novel, everyday facts and objects represent a ritual to be celebrated. The salt of the sea. The crackling of shells under the effect of heat. Mom's songs so that the plants grow. Dad's poetry. The bread under Kinno's pillow. The sage of Téta Hilweh's tea. Jiddo Hamid's pomegranate tree. Piano lessons. Raw milk that keeps all its good. Aleksey's bicycle. Wafiq's fruit basket. The evenings in the refugee camp.

Author's point of view

When we talk about Palestinians, we generally talk about war, suffering, death, violence. Caught between the image of the victim and that of the terrorist, it is hard to imagine a Palestinian smiling, laughing, dreaming, fantasizing, sharing a quiet meal, discussing music and poetry. Love and tenderness, without anguish or bitterness, the family in its intimacy, but above all the happiness, magic, dreams, innocence and mourning of childhood that are part of every child's universe. This is what I wanted to write.