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A Saqi Books anthology of new work by Syrian writers and artists has won an English PEN Award for promotion.
Syria Speaks: Art and Culture from the Frontline features essays, short stories, poems and songs, as well as photographs, cartoons, drawings and illustrations, that document and interpret the drastic changes in the country since 2011.
Lynn Gaspard, publisher at Saqi Books, described the work as "the first to provide a window into Syrian art and writing since the uprising". She added: "The editors, Malu Halasa, Zaher Omareen and Nawara Mahfoud, have to be commended for their admirable work. Working under unimaginable constraints, they have obtained 35 original pieces by Syrian writers and artists, 17 of which were inside the country."
In collaboration with English PEN, Saqi Books will invite some of the contributors to participate at events at the British Museum, Rich Mix and other venues in 2014.
Saqi Books and its sister company Dar al Saqi in Beirut will release English and Arabic-language editions of Syria Speaks in June 2014.