Celebrate contemporary Palestinian literature and storytelling this Second Thursday at Al-Bustan!
Book Launch: Elena Dudum in Conversation with Reem Kassis
They Told Me Back Home Would Be Beautiful
Date: Thursday, November 12, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: Al-Bustan Art Gallery, 310 W Master St., Philadelphia, PA 19122
Admission: Free / Pay-What-You-Wish ($5 Suggested Donation)
We are honored to welcome Palestinian American writer Elena Dudum for the Philadelphia launch of her debut book, They Told Me Back Home Would Be Beautiful. For early chapters of this moving project, Dudum was awarded the prestigious 2025 Whiting Nonfiction Grant for Works-in-Progress.
Dudum will be joined in conversation by acclaimed author and journalist Reem Kassis (The Palestinian Table, The Arabesque Table). Together, they will explore personal and collective memory, the emotional landscapes of homeland and exile, and the craft of centering Palestinian stories.
• Program Schedule:
6:00 PM – 6:30 PM: Doors open, warm tea, community gathering
6:30 PM – 7:30 PM: Book Talk & Moderated Q&A with Elena Dudum & Reem Kassis
7:30 PM – 8:00 PM: Book signing and sales with Mavey Books
• Book Sales & Signing:
Our partner Mavey Books will have copies of They Told Me Back Home Would Be Beautiful available on-site for purchase, along with a curated selection of titles. The conversation will be followed by an author signing.
You always can buy the book in advance:
Admission is Pay-What-You-Wish ($5 suggested donation). Seating is limited—please RSVP in advance to secure your seat!
Accessibility: located on the second floor up two flights of stairs.