- The author will discuss the book at Dubai’s Emirates Literature Festival on Feb. 1, 2025
Manar Elbaz
DUBAI: Two years after its publication, Syrian-Canadian writer Zoulfa Katouh’s debut novel, ‘As Long As The Lemon Trees Grow,’ continues to resonate with readers as it follows the tale of two characters who try to find hope amidst the Syrian war. As the story develops, the characters connect deeper through their shared love of Hayao Miyazaki’s Studio Ghibli films, something that symbolizes peace and tranquility for them.
In the opening chapters, readers catch a glimpse of the female protagonist Salama Kassab’s life pre-war, as she finds beauty in life’s small details by associating them with various Miyazaki films.
As she starts to fall in love with the male protagonist, Kenan Aljendi, Kassab slowly starts to fantasize about a world where she lives in a Studio Ghibli far away from war-torn Syria. “I stop and for one minute, allow myself to imagine our ‘might’ life in this dusty hallway. That I’m living my very own Studio Ghibli movie,” the character says.
While Japanese elements are not common in literature set in the Arab world, it is not surprising that anime movies were used as metaphors for hope since many kids in the Middle East and the GCC region grew up watching Arabic-dubbed anime. Katouh told Arab News Japan that she was one of those kids, which inspired her to write characters that feel authentic.
“As the rest the of Arab kids who grew up in the early 2000s, Spacetoon was everything. They had anime dubbed in Arabic, and bus rides to the school were everyone singing the opening song,” the author said.
“(Anime) was a look into stories that take place on earth or fantasy lands and the heroes who save the day. I can still see elements of that in my writing of characters who would sit at the same table as the characters I loved from the Spacetoon anime,” she added.
While the characters continue to experience severe trauma from the war, they keep desperately clinging onto Miyazaki’s works. Even after leaving Syria, the male character begins studying to create stories similar to the Miyazaki ones he watched.
“Studio Ghibli is the symbol for their innocence that they’re holding on to. And it’s something every one of us does in their everyday life when going through a tough time. Maybe we have a favorite song or a meal. Something that makes you feel less alone. That gives you hope,” the author told Arab News Japan.
Similar to her characters, Katouh was drawn to Studio Ghibli’s movies the most as a child. She cited the Japanese animator as one of her main inspirations, sharing that she watched ‘Spirited Away’ when she was only eight years old.
“Ghibli is the basis of my imagination,” she told Arab News Japan. “Miyazaki taught me how to romanticize the mundane: the serenity in public transportation, the joy of a hard-earned meal at the end of the day, putting in elbow grease in your work… etc. I would say Ghibli shows sides of life that one doesn’t usually see in movies.”
“The quiet moments between the loud moments. The “Ma” moments. It’s something that inspires me in my writing, but it is sometimes quite a tough nut to crack in writing rather than showing. Nevertheless, I try. For me, Studio Ghibli is an immense comfort and they’re stories that I always find something new to learn from,” she added.
Aside from Studio Ghibli, the author also mentions at the end of her novel that she was inspired by Japanese music while writing the book, specifically the ‘Attack on Titan’ soundtrack. While the author herself doesn’t understand Japanese, she shared that she feels comforted by Japanese songs as music transcends languages.
“The beauty of music is that it doesn’t conform to language barriers. The feelings of the singer/composer can be felt through the melody. Because music is about feeling. And I’m drawn to any music that makes me feel regardless of whether I understand the lyrics or not,” Katouh said.
Additionally, she mentioned she is heavily inspired by Japanese musicians such as Yuki Hayashi, Hiroyuki Sawano, Yasuharu Takanashi, and Marika Takeuchi.
“I am always in awe of musicians who create sound from nothing. I recommend Marika Takeuchi to everyone. I am a huge fan of Aimer, whose voice is spun gold. I’ve discovered Zarame and Yuuri and I am obsessed. There isn’t one favorite musical piece I can recommend because my heart is too big. But if I have to choose, I say it would be Planetarium by Ai Otsuka,” she shared.
Moreover, the author mentioned that she looks up how Japanese people are authentically presented in their media. She hopes to recreate this in the Arab world as she strives to create characters that not only Arab people can find themselves in but also people from different cultures can develop an actual understanding of what Arabs are like.
“I find it beautiful how a Japanese person finds themselves represented in their arts. They see their history, traditions, and culture represented. I think that authenticity is a big reason why people all over the world would like to visit Japan or have taken an interest in Japanese culture,” she told Arab News Japan.
“It’s sometimes difficult to be yourself in this world, especially if you’re a minority, but that is something I am striving for as an author. I want to create stories for people who look like me, and in extension, anyone who wants to feel represented to see themselves in my work. I want to write about Arab mythology and history in a fantasy setting. I want Arabic music and art to be on par with the worldwide stage,” she continued.
The writer revealed to Arab News Japan that ‘As Long as the Lemons Tree Grow’ will be translated into Japanese by Hayakawa Publishing and will be published soon. “It’s still in the works but I can’t wait to see the physical copy. My dream is to somehow get a copy to Hayao Miyazaki,” she said.
Additionally, Zoulfa is currently planning her first trip to Japan in the upcoming spring to see the Sakura trees. Prior to her Japan trip, she will be having a panel at Dubai’s Emirates Literature in February where she will discuss the novel.
“I have lived fifteen years in the UAE, and so I consider it my home. It’s such an honor to be welcomed to a festival I’ve always loved as a reader,” she shared regarding her upcoming appearance in Dubai.
Currently, she is working on her second novel, which will also feature Japanese elements in an Arab setting. “(The book) has magical elements and very much Studio Ghibli vibes as well. There is a lot of sadness but also happiness. We have an artist girl who is on a journey to find healing and the soft boy she falls for along the way. That is all I will say on the matter.”
Zoulfa’s panel at Emirates Literature Festival, ‘Love and Loss in Syria will take place on Feb. 1, 2025, at Dubai Festival’s Intercontinental hotel. Tickets can be purchased on the website. Her novel can be purchased in the GCC region from Kinokuniya.
Read more: In Syrian historical fiction book, Studio Ghibli serves as the characters’ only solace