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Die Entstehung der Rubrik wurde durch eine Förderung des Hauptstadtkulturfonds ermöglicht. 

Widad Nabi

Author

Mathias Bother

Profile

Born: 12.10.1985
Birthplace: Kobani
Country of birth: Syria
Lives in: Berlin, Marzahn


Language: Arabic
Working language: Arabic

Vita

Widad Nabi was born in Kobani. Nowadays she lives and works in Berlin. The Kurdish-Syrian poet and author completed her Bachelor of Economic Studies at the University of Aleppo. Her work has been published in numerous magazines and newspapers. Some of her writing has also appeared in English, for example in Tulips Magazine in Washington, or in French, for example in the anthology L’amour au temps de l’insurrection et de la guerre (Maison de la Poésie). In 2013 her book Time for Love, Time for War was published in Aleppo. Her book Syria and the Senselessness of Death was published in 2016 in Beirut. In October of the same year her writing got published for the first time in German – one of her pieces was included in an anthology of texts from Germany called Weg sein – hier sein by Secession. Some of her writing appears in the book Die Flügel meines schweren Herzens, an anthology published by Manesse in 2017. So far she has yet to publish a book of only her writing. 

6 Questions

What brought you to Berlin? Love? World politics? Or was it a coincidence?

World politics. After I had to leave Syria, Berlin turned out to be the perfect choice for various reasons, for example it's friendly atmosphere. Most importantly it also reminds me of Aleppo.


What do you love about Berlin?

Berlin is a multicultural city, which has room for every culture, regardless of religion, race, or nationality.


What do you miss in Berlin?

I miss the house of my childhood, which is brimming with memories in every nook and cranny. I also miss intense contact and communication – immersing myself in society – due to my lack of knowledge of the German language.


What is your favorite spot in Berlin?

I would say Kulturbrauerei. The old architecture reminds me of some old areas in Aleppo and the cultural atmosphere there fascinates me.


Would you say you are a different person in Berlin? A different translator? And if yes, in what way?

No, I'm still who I am.


Which existing literary work do you wish you had written?

„War's Unwomanly Face“ by Svetlana Alexievich

Work

Publications in german

Publications in original language

الموت كما لو كان خردة

Bait elmouwaten, 2016 Poetry

ظهيرة حب ظهيرة حرب

Kobia, 2013 Poetry