A memoir by Tareq Baconi, a queer Palestinian Christian, breaks a long-held silence, weaving personal experience with broader themes of displacement and identity. Baconi, who will appear at the Melbourne Writers Festival on Saturday, May 9, and the Sydney Writers’ Festival on May 23 and 24, describes his work as a departure from academic pursuits to a deeply personal narrative.
The memoir chronicles Baconi's journey growing up Palestinian in Lebanon, navigating his identity as a queer Christian, a stark contrast to his previous academic focus on what he terms a "terrorist organisation." Born in Jordan, Baconi divides his time between New York and London. His lineage traces back to refugees from Jerusalem and Haifa, and his upbringing spanned Amman and Beirut.
Baconi notes a recurring sentiment of not quite belonging, a feeling he associates with many displaced individuals. He initially perceived his writing project as focusing on a "love story between these two boys." The decision to publish, however, became a complex consideration, particularly in light of the ongoing destruction in Gaza.
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