Liana Badr

Writer · Novelist · Filmmaker

Liana Badr is a distinguished Palestinian writer, novelist, and filmmaker whose body of work spans fiction, poetry, journalism, and cinema. Renowned for her poignant depictions of exile, resistance, and the inner lives of Palestinian women, she has been a powerful literary and cultural voice for decades.

Early Life and Exile

Born in Jerusalem on January 1, 1950, Liana Badr’s life was profoundly shaped by the political upheavals that followed the 1967 Israeli occupation. From 1967 to 1994, she lived in exile across Beirut, Damascus, and Tunis, experiences that deeply influenced her literary and cinematic work. In Beirut, she earned a license in philosophy and psychology, and began an M.A. in general psychology at the Lebanese University, which she was unable to complete due to the outbreak of war. She later returned to university to study English literature after the success of her first novel, all while working extensively in journalism. After 1995, back in Palestine, she studied filmmaking through courses led by Swiss directors affiliated with the renowned Zurich Film Institute.

• Master’s Degree in Contemporary Arabic Studies, Birzeit University, Palestine (2012)
• Diploma in General Psychology, Lebanese University, Beirut (1974)
• Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy and Psychology, Beirut Arab University (1973)

Literary Career

Liana Badr is the author of numerous novels, short story collections, children’s books, and poetry collections, many of which have been translated into several languages. Her debut novel, A Compass for the Sunflower, received critical acclaim for its lyrical and politically rich narrative. Her works consistently explore themes of identity, loss, occupation, and the resilience of Palestinian women.

Badr’s literary accomplishments have earned her a distinguished place in contemporary Arabic literature. Her fiction has been widely anthologized and recognized for its profound engagement with the Palestinian experience, particularly from a female perspective. She was awarded the Mahmoud Darwish Award for Creativity, and her works have been shortlisted and honored at various international literary festivals. Her short story collections, such as A Balcony Over the Fakihani, showcase her deft command of narrative voice and emotional nuance, while her poetry reveals a lyrical intensity that reflects both personal and collective struggles. Badr has also contributed significantly to literary criticism and translation, further enriching the Arabic literary canon. Through her evocative storytelling and unwavering commitment to cultural memory, Badr has become a vital voice in preserving and articulating the complexities of Palestinian identity.

Passion for Poetry

Badr is also an accomplished poet whose work explores themes of freedom, migration, and the human condition, drawing deeply from her personal journey and cultural heritage.

She has published three poetry collections—Lilies of Light, Zaman al-Layl (Time of the Night), and Aqmar (Moons). In 2024, she was awarded the Mediterranean Poetry Prize in Rome for her Arabic poem Parole che evadono le prigioni della notte (“Words on the Run from the Thrall of Night”), translated into Italian by Simone Sibilio. The poem was celebrated for its lyrical power and its moving exploration of exile, freedom, and the shared dreams of women across the Mediterranean.

Journalism and Cultural Work

Badr worked as a journalist in Beirut and Damascus from 1973 to 1988, covering major regional conflicts and cultural developments. From 1988 to 1994, she worked in the Children’s Literature Department of the Palestine Liberation Organization’s Department of Culture in Tunis.

Upon returning to Palestine in 1994, she continued to shape the national cultural landscape:

• General Director of Arts, Palestinian Ministry of Culture, Ramallah (1995–2004)
• Director and Consultant, General Director consultant for the Film archive, Palestinian Film Archive, Ministry of Culture (2004–2012)
• Chief Editor, Dafater Thaqafiyah, a monthly cultural review (1996–2001)
• Cultural Editor, Attareek Quarterly (2004–2010)

Journalism and Filmmaking

In addition to her literary work, Badr has also been an active journalist and filmmaker. She has worked with Palestinian cultural institutions and served as a general director of Arts in Palestine, the Director of the Palestinian Ministry of Culture in Ramallah. Her documentaries and short films further explore themes of heritage, identity, and resistance, expanding her impact beyond the written word. Her films have earned numerous international awards, solidifying her reputation as a multidisciplinary artist of international significance.

Legacy and Influence

Liana Badr is recognized as one of the most influential Palestinian women writers of her generation. Her work resonates across the Arab world and internationally for its profound emotional depth, political insight, and feminist lens. Through fiction and film, she has chronicled the modern Palestinian condition in a way that is both deeply personal and universally human. She is passionate about culture and is working to develop infrastructure that supports a wide range of cultural themes.

Current Life

Badr is a board member of the Mahmoud Darwish Foundation, reflecting her deep commitment to preserving and promoting Palestinian cultural identity. She continues to work as an independent writer and filmmaker. Since 1994, Liana Badr has lived in Ramallah, where she continues her literary and cinematic contributions to Palestinian culture and history.

“I write to color my life, which is marked by the dust of the wars that my people and I have lived through.”

“How beautiful the sea is when we see nothing but the desert.”

“I love the ascending and descending paths, and I hate the plain where a swallow doesn’t hide behind a mulberry tree.”