We are delighted to host the launch of Sarmada, the debut novel by Fadi Azzam published by Swallow Editions.

The town of Sarmada, Arabic for ‘perpetuate’ or ‘the eternally-not-challenged’, is the novel’s fictitious setting. Women are the protagonists of this story, that spans several generations and extends from Syria to Paris and back again. Myths, communists, nationalists, murder, illicit love, superstition, and erotic trees make up the tapestry of this beguiling and enchanting novel.

Fadi Azzam was born in 1973 in Swaida, Southern Syria, but like many compatriots of his generation he was forced to leave his beloved Damascus and settle in the United Arab Emirates. He is an acclaimed freelance journalist, whose work regularly features in Al Quds Al Arabi and his first collection of short stories Thahtaniat was published in March 2010.

Swallow Editions is a new not-for-profit publishing enterprise, founded and edited by Rafik Schami, that will publish the best emerging, young authors from the Arab world.

There will be readings by the author and copies of the book will be available for purchase and signings.

Thursday  20th October, 7pm

This event is free but places are limited, please RSVP info@mosaicrooms.org or call 020 7370 9990