FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ancient Kurdish Myth Re-imagined as a Human Rights Fairy Tale
GRANIA’S TEARS
Story by E.A. Nolan | Paintings by Saar Keunen | Audio Narration by Soran Ismail
With its strong themes about refugees, forced migration, and gender equality, GRANIA'S TEARS offers a special humanitarian message within the context of the European Refugee Crisis. The book is dedicated to Alan Kurdi and all refugee children who died during their journey to freedom. Alan and his brother Galip appear as fictional characters in several of the book's 31 original paintings.
Stockholm– February 5, 2016 GRANIA’S TEARS will launch during a ceremony on Saturday, February 20 (the eve of United Nations International Mother Language Day) at The Kurdish Library, Gustavslundsvägen 170, 167 51 Bromma from 14:00 – 16:00. E.A. Nolan, Soran Ismail and Saar Keunen will be available for interviews.
As the Syrian civil war rages into its 6th year, it is quietly claiming a new cultural victim: the international Kurdish publishing industry, and with it, the multi-dialectal Kurdish language. Children’s books, which are the lifeblood of every written language, have been particularly affected because they are expensive to produce. GRANIA'S TEARS is one of an estimated 10-15 Kurdish children's books that will be published worldwide in 2016.
February 20 was chosen as the launch date because it is the eve of UN International Mother Language Day. GRANIA'S TEARS will be published in Kirmanckî, Kurmanji and Swedish. Kirmanckî is listed by UNESCO as an endangered language.
Celebrated Kurdish writer and linguist Mehemed Malmîsanij describes GRANIA’S TEARS as "a unique and beautiful Kurdish story that helps us to preserve our cultural heritage."
GRANIA’S TEARS is the 91st Kurdish children’s book published by Apec Förlag since 1988. The retail price is SEK 140.00. Copies may be purchased online at www.apecpublishing.com.
About the Author E.A. Nolan is an international writer-producer from Boston, USA with deep experience in global health and human rights. While working with Kurdish refugees after the first Gulf War, she heard the “Myth of the 500 Virgins” for the first time and wondered if it could be re-imagined as a positive, peaceful fable. Elizabeth holds a master’s degree in International Relations from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Boston University. GRANIA’S TEARS is her first book for children.
For more information about GRANIA’S TEARS, please visit www.graniastears.com or contact ALI CIFTCI at +46 8 761 8118. The author’s photo, an image of the book cover, and other artwork are available upon request.
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