ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ghassan Kanafani (1936-1972), Palestinian journalist, novelist and short story writer, was born in Acre, in the north of Palestine. He and his family shared the fate of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians who were expelled from Palestine in 1948 as a result of the establishment of Israel.

In 1960, Ghassan settled in Beirut where he lived and worked. On July 8, 1972, he and his young niece, Lamis, were killed by Israeli agents in a car bomb explosion in Beirut.

By the time of his untimely death Ghassan had published eighteen books and written hundreds of articles on culture, politics and the Palestinian people's struggle. His works have been re-published in several editions in Arabic and translated to seventeen languages and published in twenty different countries. Although Ghassan's literary works were an expression of the Palestinian people and their cause, his literary talent gave his work a universal appeal.

THE GHASSAN KANAFANI CULTURAL FOUNDATION (GKCF)

The Foundation was founded as a Lebanese NGO in 1974, on the 2nd anniversary of the martyrdom of Ghassan Kanafani, author, journalist, artist and spokesman for the Palestinian people.

The Foundation runs kindergartens and habilitation centers with a capacity for 625 children, in the Palestinian refugee camps and deprived areas in Lebanon. GKFC's outreach program for disabled children, children's libraries, art centers and clubs benefit another 500 children. The total number of dedicated staff members working within GKFS's programs and projects is almost one hundred, in addition to many volunteers.