‘War lives in me’: Gaza playwright Ali Abu Yasin wins English PEN award
Summary
Ali Abu Yassin, a playwright from Gaza, won the English PEN "Writer of Courage 2026" award for his work during the conflict in Gaza. He has written about living through the war and the destruction around him, continuing to create despite difficult conditions.Key Facts
- Ali Abu Yassin is a 62-year-old playwright from the al-Shati refugee camp in Gaza.
- He stopped writing plays after October 2023 and began documenting life under heavy Israeli bombardment.
- Since 2023, over 74,000 people have died in Gaza and many survivors have been displaced multiple times.
- Abu Yassin writes about the war, including his personal experiences, such as his son being trapped under rubble and his house being bombed.
- He worked with the Said Al-Mishal Theatre, which was destroyed in a 2018 Israeli attack.
- His recent play, "50 Minutes," was performed in Gaza in difficult conditions, such as rehearsals in a makeshift tent.
- Abu Yassin recently left Gaza for an artist residency in France and attended the award ceremony in London.
- The English PEN "Writer of Courage" award honors authors who defend freedom of expression despite personal risks.
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