In December 2023, the world lost a singular voice. Refaat Alareer, poet, editor, teacher, and mentor, was killed by an Israeli airstrike in Gaza, along with six members of his family. His final poem, If I Must Die, written just weeks before his death, echoed across borders and languages, giving voice to the grief and resistance of a people under siege.
Refaat Alareer was a Palestinian writer, poet, and professor of English literature at the Islamic University of Gaza. A passionate educator and mentor, he was a co-founder of We Are Not Numbers, a platform amplifying young Palestinian voices. His poetry and essays captured the struggles and resilience of life in Gaza, making him a vital literary figure. Through his teaching, writing, and activism, he shaped a new generation of Palestinian storytellers.
But Refaat’s legacy did not end there. A towering figure in Palestinian literature, he helped shape a new generation of writers and thinkers, not only through his words, but through his presence, his mentorship, and his belief in the power of storytelling.
Join us for a special evening of remembrance, reflection, and resistance, as we celebrate the life and work of Refaat Alareer and the community he built around him.
With readings from his poetry and prose, and reflections from three people who knew him personally: Yousef Aljamal, Gaza-based writer, translator, and editor of If I Must Die: Poetry and Prose, a tribute to his former teacher, Ahmed Nehad, writer, translator, and fellow lecturer at the Islamic University in Gaza, who Refaat mentored for many years, and Basma Ghalayini, translator and editor of Palestine +100 and Palestine -1, two ground-breaking science fiction anthologies imagining past and future Palestine’s.
This event, in partnership with Comma Press, is part of Liverpool’s growing cultural response to the ongoing crisis in Palestine, rooted in solidarity, shaped by stories, and driven by the belief that voices like Refaat’s must continue to be heard.
Yousef Aljamal is a Gaza-based writer, translator, and editor of If I Must Die: Poetry and Prose, a tribute to his former teacher, Refaat Alareer. His work focuses on Palestinian literature, resistance, and the power of storytelling, amplifying voices from Gaza through translation and writing.
Ahmed Nehad is a writer, translator, and lecturer at the Islamic University in Gaza. A longtime mentee of Refaat Alareer, his work explores Palestinian identity, literature, and translation. Through his writing and teaching, he continues to contribute to the preservation and evolution of Palestinian narratives.
Basma Ghalayini is a translator and editor known for her work on Palestine +100 and Palestine -1, two groundbreaking anthologies that reimagine Palestine’s past and future through speculative fiction. Her translations and editorial work highlight diverse Palestinian voices, bridging cultural and literary worlds.ed — but never forgotten — and remind us of the enduring power of literature in times of destruction. Comma Press is a UK-based independent publisher specialising in short fiction and literary translation. Committed to championing diverse and underrepresented voices, they publish innovative anthologies and works from international writers, often focusing on themes of social justice, political change, and speculative fiction. They have been instrumental in bringing Palestinian literature to a wider audience through collections like Palestine +100 and Palestine -1.
We encourage people to use public transport to travel to events where possible.
*These are difficult times. We know some people may struggle to afford full price tickets. If you would like to attend this event but can’t afford to, please contact info@writingonthewall.org.uk. All queries will be treated in confidence.
The Black-E, 1 Great George St, Liverpool L1 5EW
Standard Ticket: £5.00
Solidarity Ticket: £10.00
Date: May 29, 2025
Time: 7:00 pm
Ends: 9:00 pm
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