Remembering Babylon

Naim Kattan grew up in a multicultural Baghdad as did Marina Benjamin’s grandmother. A violent pogrom shook their world in 1941 and eventually 130, 000 Jews were airlifted out of Iraq and scattered across the globe in the early fifties. The two authors discuss colonial Baghdad, the political forces that shape the country today and the fate of its Jewish diaspora.

Marina Benjamin has worked as a journalist for fifteen years. Her last book, Rocket Dreams, was shortlisted for the Eugene Emme Literature Award. Last Days in Babylon is the story of her grandmother’s escape and exile.

Naim Kattan has written more than 30 books of fiction, poetry and criticism. He lives in Canada. Farewell, Babylon is his story of coming of age in Jewish Baghdad.

Linda Dangoor is a designer, artist and writer. Born in Baghdad, she came to London as a child and continues to live and work there.

In association with Harif