Translations by Jumaana Abdu is a poignant exploration of identity, language, and displacement. The novel delves into the complexities of navigating multiple cultural worlds, following the journey of a young woman caught between her ancestral heritage and her current life in a foreign land. Through vivid storytelling, Abdu examines how language serves both as a bridge and a barrier, reflecting the struggles of understanding and being understood. Themes of exile, memory, and belonging resonate throughout the narrative, as the protagonist grapples with the emotional weight of translating not just words, but entire cultural experiences. Translations offers a powerful reflection on the search for self in the midst of fractured identities and divided loyalties.
About the Facilitator
Antoun Issa will facilitate the conversation about Jumaana Abdu’s novel Translations.
Antoun Issa is a Lebanese-Australian journalist and political commentator who has spent over a decade researching, covering and analysing the Middle East. His journey includes three years as a news editor in Beirut at the height of the Arab Spring, five years in Washington, DC, working in the foreign policy and communications sectors, and four years at Guardian Australia. He is currently writing a narrative book based on his family’s experiences in the Lebanese Civil War. He recently left Guardian Australia to become chief of staff for Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi.
Event Details
When: Fri, 25 October – 6:30 pm – 8 pm
Where: ACE Parramatta, 8 Victoria Rd
This is a free event, but registrations are essential! Book your tickets today via the link below.
