麻豆社

The Syrian writer, Khaled Khalifa - who was celebrated for his novels, newspaper columns and TV screenplays - has died at the age of 59 in Damascus. He gained fame as a writer of several popular TV series in the 1990's. His 2006 novel 'In Praise of Hatred' was shortlisted for the International Prize for Arabic Fiction, while his 2013 novel 'No Knives in the Kitchens of This City' won Egypt's top accolade for writers. Originally from Aleppo province he was known as a staunch opponent of the Assad regime, but despite that he chose to remain in the country after the 2011 uprising broke out. "I am staying because this is my country" he said, "I was born here, I live here and I want to die here." Dima Wannous is a Syrian novelist and friend who now lives in London.

(Photo: Khaled Khalifa speaks during an interview at his home in the Syrian capital Damascus in June 2020. Credit: Louai Beshara/AFP via Getty Images)