Syrian Refugee Describes Struggle with Nightmares in 'Black Forest'

Syrian Refugee Describes Struggle with Nightmares in 'Black Forest'
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Syrian Refugee Describes Struggle with Nightmares in 'Black Forest'

Syrian Refugee Describes Struggle with Nightmares in 'Black Forest'

Ramina Books, London, has recently released the “Black Forest” novel by Germany-based Syrian novelist Mazen Arafa.

The story takes place in a city, southern Germany, where a Syrian refugee lives in struggle from “war trauma”. The title of the book reflects the darkness in his spirit caused by the terror he saw during the war and how it still haunts him through nightmares.

One day, the refugee wakes up without a memory, in a safe “European city” that has no people, without knowing how he arrived there. He lives alone with illusions and surrealistic nightmares, and his unconsciousness manifests in worlds of madness and absurdity.

These worlds not only express the terror he’s keeping inside him, but also the cultural trauma of a refugee living in a cold, emotionless western community after he was used to the eastern intimacy and warmth in his country. But his temporary break outside the “mental therapy resort” helps to draw a real image of the social environment he lives in, in an attempt to explain his nightmares.

The protagonist’s fight with his terror eventually leads him to record his story in the “memories’ trees”, a real tree in the forest with a hole that contains a notebook in which passerby write down their stories.

The cover of the 206-page book, is designed by Yassine Ahmadi, and features a painting of the Kurdish-Syrian artist Khodr Abdul Karim.



Cultural Fund Showcases Saudi Handicrafts at Selfridges in London 

Cultural Fund Showcases Saudi Handicrafts at Selfridges in London 
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Cultural Fund Showcases Saudi Handicrafts at Selfridges in London 

Cultural Fund Showcases Saudi Handicrafts at Selfridges in London 

The Cultural Development Fund unveiled a curated selection of Saudi handicrafts at Selfridges in London, offering international audiences a window into the Kingdom’s rich artisanal heritage, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Wednesday.

The exhibit, inspired by Saudi Arabia’s diverse geography and urban character, aims to highlight the creative and economic value of national crafts.

Part of the fund’s broader efforts under the Year of Crafts 2025, the display will run throughout June in a dedicated section of the iconic department store.

The space is designed to reflect Saudi cultural identity, incorporating lavender and clay motifs as symbols of the Kingdom’s natural and architectural heritage.

Visitors are introduced to the aesthetics of Saudi crafts, reimagined through a modern creative lens.

The collection includes palm-weaving, leather goods, and handcrafted jewelry, all created by male and female artisans from across the Kingdom. Each piece reflects the cultural and regional diversity of Saudi craftsmanship, emphasizing both traditional techniques and contemporary design.