The Childhood Center – Nazareth Nurseries Foundation proudly announces the release of two new stories in its enchanting series, “Our Villages That Remain in Us” designated specifically for children. Authored by Nabila Espanioli and beautifully illustrated by Abdullah Qawariq, these tales add to the rich tapestry of narratives that preserve the essence of our heritage.
The latest additions, “The Secret of Saffuriya” and “Shafa Ma’lul,” join the esteemed ranks of earlier works such as “The Hunter of Basa,” “The Painter of the Tree,” and “The Poet of Al-Birwa,” which the center has been publishing since 2017.
“The Secret of Saffuriya” unfolds in the once-thriving village of Saffuriya, displaced prior to the Nakba. Through the eyes of a child named Qamar, readers are taken on a journey through the village’s landscape, customs, and the vibrant life of its inhabitants.
Conversely, “Shafa Ma’lul” is set on the lands of the displaced village of Ma’lul, providing insights into its geographical features, cultural traditions, and the names of the families that once called this village home.
In a recent interview, writer Nabila Espanioli expressed her vision:
“These stories aim to bridge the gap in the Arab literary landscape, offering high-quality children’s narratives rooted in Palestine, enriched by characters and settings that are authentically Palestinian. This series presents beautifully crafted books that capture the essence of villages that have been displaced, featuring characters who once played amidst their storied landscapes, all conveyed in Palestinian Arabic, what the poet Saud Al-Asadi aptly termed ‘the national language.’”
Espanioli further elaborated, “While the story is rooted in fantasy, it remains anchored in reality, as the names, locations, and terrain depicted are genuine. Thus, we assert, ‘The entire story is pure fantasy, except for Bassa, Al-Birwa, Al-Sajra, Nazareth, Saffuriya, and Ma’lul, which are real.’”