A COLLECTION of charity zines from Gaza-based artists have gone on sale in a Scottish book shop.
Somverville Books, an independent bookstore in Aberdeen, has partnered with Coastal Lines Press, a collective of authors from the Gaza Strip.
Zines from Gaza was officially launched last week, which highlights Palestinian writers and shares vital stories from within the enclave through independently published booklets of poetry, essays and testimonies.
Nour Abo Aisha, one of the writers involved in the project, told a source that the “situation around me is totally catastrophic” and that she could not “think with anything creative” amidst the ongoing genocide.
Proceeds from zine sales go directly to the authors involved, helping fund critical support for their families as Israel continues to bombard and starve the region.
Somerville Books owner, Christie Murphie, told The National: “I am so proud that at Somerville Books we have a whole section dedicated to sharing books by Palestinian authors, and when I was told about this zine initiative I was so excited to get involved, especially given that we're signed up as an Apartheid Free Zone (AFZ).
“The fact that the money goes directly to the authors of these zines is what's so important as well. There is no middle-man, no taking a cut – this money goes to the author and helps them directly.
“Bookshops should be a place where we celebrate and promote the voices of the disenfranchised, and this is a fantastic way to do that.
“All of the books I've stocked that share Palestinian voices have been hugely popular with the Aberdeen community which has been massively affirming, and I have no doubt the zines will be too.”
Authors contributing to the project include Nour Abo Aisha, Samah Zaqout, Shahd Alnaami, Sondos A. Al-Saqqa, Taqwa Ahmed Al-Wawi and Dima Maher Ashour.
The zines currently available are:
- Aerie Tales by Sondos A. Al-Saqqa
- The Heart’s Gaze by Sondos A. Al-Saqqa
- The Writings of Shahd Alnaami by Shahd Alnaami
- Questions on My Mind by Dima Maher Ashour
- Gaza Calling – Will the World Pick Up? by Taqwa Ahmad Al-Wawi
Murphie added: “Thank you to Veronica Petrie for letting me know about this, and for Granite City Print for splitting the costs with me to get it printed so quickly.
“And most importantly thank you to Coastal Lines Press for organising this, and for the authors of these zines for sharing their words and voices – Taqwa Ahmed Al-Wawi, Shahid Alnaami and Sondos Al-Saqqa – and the authors who will be sharing their words in the future through this project as well.”
PDF copies of each zine are available for purchase by donation. Those wishing to obtain a copy can do so here, and requests for digital versions can be made to individual authors or to coastallinespress@gmail.com with proof of donation.
