Rima Bali: Love, Magic, and the Ghost of Aleppo in "Suleima’s Ring"

Join us for an intimate conversation with Rima Bali, author of the International Prize for Arabic Fiction-shortlisted novel, Suleima’s Ring.In this episode, we journey from the ancient alleys of Aleppo to the banks of the Tagus River in Toledo, Spain. We explore the interwoven lives of Salma, an Italian musician named Shams al-Din, and Lucas, a Spanish-Jewish photographer. Together, we delve into:The Heart’s Compass: Salma’s struggle between duty, past affluence, and a present marked by conflict.The Legend of the Ring: How the fabled ring of Solomon serves as a metaphor for power, magic, and the "lost souls" of a city under rubble.Cultural Landscapes: The fragrance of Aleppo and the atmosphere of Sufism that permeates this moving narrative.Can a magic ring free a city buried under the rubble of dreams? We discuss the ever-elusive concept of truth and the resilience of the human spirit against the backdrop of the Syrian war.