The PalFest Podcast

Episodes

1. On introducing Edward Said: Isabella Hammad and Hisham Matar

   31 May 2026 · 57 min · S1 E17

   Edward Said needs no introductions, but what happens when writers are asked to newly introduce the works that helped define his legacy? In this episode Isabella Hammad, who writes the introduction to a new edition of…

2. Tareq Baconi and Saleem Haddad in conversation - Live from Ibraaz

   17 May 2026 · 1 h 42 min · S1 E16

   How do different forms of writing explore ideas that come from our personal and political histories? In Episode 16 of the PalFest podcast, Tareq Baconi and Saleem Haddad discuss their new books – Haddad’s novel…

3. Something About Living: Lena Khalaf Tuffaha with So Meyer

   3 May 2026 · 1 h 11 min · S1 E15

   On this episode of the PalFest podcast, we mark the launch of the UK edition of Lena Khalaf Tuffaha’s Something About Living, published by the 87 Press, at the London Review Bookshop. Lena Khalaf Tuffaha is one of the…

4. The Selected Plays of Ismail Khalidi - Live from New York

   19 Apr 2026 · 1 h 22 min · S1 E14

   We marked the publication of Ismail Khalidi’s SELECTED PLAYS with this special live event in New York recorded with the playwright and a selection of his special guests. Tune in to hear excerpts from three of…

5. Molly Crabapple in conversation with Sara Yasin on "Here Where We Live Is Our Country"

   2 Apr 2026 · 59 min · S1 E13

   In 2015 Molly Crabapple attended the Palestine Festival of Literature in Palestine. When she returned home she began excavating her family’s history and her great-grandfather’s involvement with the Jewish Bund - a…

6. Alaa Abd el-Fattah in conversation with Farah Barqawi

   23 Mar 2026 · 1 h 29 min · S1 E12

   In this episode of the PalFest Podcast we have the writer and political theorist, Alaa Abd el-Fattah, in his first extended conversation since being released from prison in Egypt, with the poet and performer, Farah…

7. Lina Mounzer and Jehan Bseiso on Writing through Crisis

   9 Mar 2026 · 1 h 15 min · S1 E11

   Episode 11 of the PalFest Podcast: Lina Mounzer, writer, translator and Senior Editor at The Markaz Review in conversation with Jehan Bseiso, poet, translator, aid worker and member of the PalFest organising committee.…

8. Mahmoud al-Shaer in conversation with Beesan Ramadan & Mirza Waheed

   23 Feb 2026 · 1 h 00 min · S1 E10

   Episode 10 of the PalFest Podcast: in conversation with Mahmoud al-Shaer, editor, curator and poet. Mahmoud has long been a key figure in the literary scene in Gaza - a scene that Israel has all but destroyed. He…

9. Hala Alyan and Mai Serhan on Memoirs of Home

   8 Feb 2026 · 55 min · S1 E9

   In our first episode of 2026, The PalFest Podcast brings you a discussion between two authors on their writing processes, identities and personal experiences. The conversation delves into the complexities of love,…

10. Yasmin Zaher and Saleem Haddad on Debut Novels

    5 Jan 2026 · 1 h 00 min · S1 E8

    In a wide-ranging discussion the two writers compare notes on their experiences of publishing debut novels in English, how their work was packaged, presented and received - and the ways in which that diverged from…

11. Nasser Abourahme in conversation with Edwin Nasr

    22 Dec 2025 · 1 h 18 min · S1 E7

    “Israel is a defeated project.” So begins Nasser Abourahme’s monumental essay in PALESTINE IS EVERYWHERE. Join us for the latest episode of the PalFest Podcast for a deep, structural analysis of Israel’s current…

12. Isabella Hammad & Mirza Waheed on Palestine and Kashmir

    8 Dec 2025 · 1 h 22 min · S1 E6

    In this live recording from The Southbank Centre, Isabella Hammad and Mirza Waheed hold a unique discussion about Palestine, Kashmir and the parallels and divergences in their modern struggles with colonialism. They…

13. Randa Abdel-Fattah in conversation with Sara Yasin about "Discipline"

    1 Dec 2025 · 1 h 19 min · S1 E5

    For episode 5 of The PalFest Podcast, we are thrilled to bring you the award-winning author, lawyer, human rights activist and community volunteer, Randa Abdel-Fattah in conversation with PalFest's own Sara Yasin, a…

14. Tareq Baconi in conversation with Ta-Nehisi Coates about "Fire in Every Direction"

    17 Nov 2025 · 1 h 12 min · S1 E4

    In this special live recording of The PalFest Podcast, direct from Middle Church NYC we bring you the launch of Fire in Every Direction: A Memoir, Tareq Baconi’s singular coming-of-age story about queer and political…

15. Laleh Khalili talks to Adam Hanieh, Robert Knox and Rafeef Ziadeh about "Resisting Erasure: Capital, Imperialism and Race in Palestine"

    5 Nov 2025 · 1 h 28 min · S1 E3

    In the third instalment of The PalFest Podcast we are excited to bring you Laleh Khalili, the esteemed professor and writer in conversation with the authors of Resisting Erasure: Capital, Imperialism and Race in…

16. Noor Hindi & George Abraham talk to Rachael Allen about "Heaven Looks Like Us"

    3 Nov 2025 · 1 h 18 min · S1 E2

    Ahead of the UK launch of the new anthology of Palestinian poetry, Heaven Looks Like Us, on October 29th, we are thrilled to bring you George Abraham and Noor Hindi, the co-editors, in conversation with Rachael Allen,…

17. Batool Abu Akleen talks to Wiam El-Tamami about "48Kg."

    8 Oct 2025 · 1 h 02 min · S1 E1

    For our very first conversation, we are incredibly lucky to have Batool Abu Akleen, brilliant young poet from Gaza, in conversation with Wiam el-Tamami, Egyptian writer and one of Batool’s translator, speaking from…