Zoulfa Katouh on love in the time of war in 'As Long As The Lemon Trees Grow'

Good Reading Podcast

Salama Kassab was a pharmacy student when the cries for freedom broke out in Syria. Now, with her parents and brother both killed in a vicious civil war, Salama volunteers at a hospital in Homs, helping the wounded who flood through the doors. Salama is thinking about leaving, but who will help the people of her beloved country? With her heart so conflicted, her mind has conjured a vision to spur her to action. His name is Khawf, and he haunts her nights with hallucinations of everything she has lost. Salama must learn to see the events around her for what they truly are decide how she will fight for Syria's freedom. In this episode Gregory Dobbs chats to Zoulfa Katouh about the forgotten war in Syria and her deep connection with her homeland, why young people need to know about the psychological effects of war, and the powerful symbol that the lemon tree represents in Syrian culture