I did not expect to win yet at the same time I had a slight hope of doing so. I then went on to the festival website and found out that The Baghdad Clock was competing with 49 English novels, some of which were nominated for the long list of the well-known Man Booker Prize. I only found out during my presence at the exhibition. How did you get nominated for the Edinburgh book award?Īfter the translation of the novel into English, it got published by British publishing house Oneworld and I received an invitation to attend the Edinburgh International Book Festival, but I did not know that my book had entered the novel contest this year. The process of writing is a beautiful time, in fact it is extremely beautiful. A year and a half later, the novel was completed and was ready to be sent to the publisher. I asked myself: 'How would I write a novel and I do not even know how to begin?' After several attempts, the opening sentence came to me. I left the table in an almost defeated state. I sat down in front of the computer and discovered that the first sentence just did not want to come together. I told myself then that I had an important story and I had to tell it. I was struck by their direct approach that is devoid of literary exaggerations. In the spring of 2015, I had finished reading a collection of novels written in English, most of them were by women from different countries and cultures. When did you start jotting the first lines of ‘ The Baghdad Clock ’ ? I did not fear failure and I did not hesitate to try various forms of literature. I tried writing in many literary genres, and whenever I failed at a genre, I kept looking for another one – one that could give me the freedom to express myself. Since my first year of studies, I loved writing, and it took me countless attempts to search for the writer within me. When did you know that you wanted to be a writer? The National caught up with Al Rawi for her first exclusive interview since winning the book award to find out where the young novelist plans to go from here. The Baghdad Clock follows the friendship of two girls, and reveals the realities of growing up in a war-torn city and a way of life that's slowly disappearing. The book was the runner up for that award, and won the First Book Award at the Edinburgh International Book Festival, at the same time this year. The EYP is very happy to extend the partnership in 2018 during the international sessions in Vilnius and Rotterdam.Not many had been familiar with Iraqi novelist Shahad Al Rawi's name prior to her nomination for the International Prize for Arabic Fiction for her debut novel, The Baghdad Clock. Sign also the open letter aiming to end statelessness and join the supporters from all over the world who are helping to change the lives of the 10 million people who have no nationality! Join the UNHCR in its efforts by adding your name to the #WithRefugees petition in order to send a clear message to governments: they must act with solidarity and responsibility. Coming to Armenia was great and literally saved my life, and meeting new people and visiting new sites was truly what I was lacking. ![]() I truly needed a break of what’s going on in the real world, I felt like I was dreaming those days, living in a war and in terrible circumstances that had a huge impact on me. Those 8 to 9 days were the best days of my life. Lastly, five people with a stateless or refugee background had a chance to take part in the sessions in Brno and Tbilisi and join their activities for its full duration.Īs Avedis, one of the participants of the International Session in Tbilisi, testifies, this experience was unforgettable: The UNHCR also contributed to the European Youth Parliament events by providing expertise on the topics of the Dublin system and statelessness during committee work at both sessions. The UNHCR is a United Nations programme mandated to protect and support refugees at the request of a government or the United Nations itself as well as assist in their voluntary repatriation, local integration or resettlement to a third country.Īs part of the empowering campaigns #WithRefugees and #IBelong, the UNHCR supported the European Youth Parliament, by having youth actively participate in European affairs through issues related to asylum, migration and statelessness. ![]() ![]() In 2017, the European Youth Parliament worked on opening its activities to young people with a migration and statelessness background, among other outreach measures.Īs part of this project, the cooperation with the United National High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) was developed at two of this year’s main event: the 85th International Session in Brno and the 86th International Session in Tbilisi.
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