"Books are a curious thing—they neither call us, nor urge us, nor ask anything of us. Yet the moment we seek them out for comfort, they do not remain silent. They become our companion, entertaining us and carrying us across worlds without us ever leaving our place..."
This conversation will delve into the second collaboration between writer Omar Zakaria and designer Hussein Alazaat (Elharf Publications, culminating in their new release Al-Nadeem: A Book on Books. At its heart, the publication is a meditation on the book as both object and idea—probing its nature and asking: What is a book? What gives it value? And how does its form shape the way we understand it? From the physical craft of bookmaking to the cultural practices surrounding reading and publishing, Al-Nadeem traces the evolution of books across centuries, with a particular focus on the Arab world.
The session will explore the historical, artistic, and technical influences behind the making of Al-Nadeem, and will discuss the present realities and future possibilities of publishing today.
The event will be held in Arabic. A limited number of copies will be available for purchase at the venue. Pre-orders are also open, including the option to reserve a numbered copy in advance here. (Please use Google Chrome to open the link).
To register, please fill out the form here.
Hussein Alazaat is a multidisciplinary designer and Arab calligraphic artist. He founded Studio Alazaat in Amman, where he works with a wide range of clients across industries around the world. His work is rooted in research and shaped by the conviction that Arab thought and identity should offer essential ground for design—informing how ideas are formed, articulated, and brought into being.
He is also the founder of Elharf, a platform that brings together a number of cultural and design initiatives. Among them is Elharf House, a space offering design products, workshops, and sessions that explore the dimensions of Arab visual knowledge and language. He also launched Elharf Publications, an independent publishing venture dedicated to reimagining the Arabic book through careful design and thoughtful production.
Omar Zakaria is a novelist and audiobook narrator based in Amman. His debut novel, Al-Qurtubi Wakes Up in Alexandria, was published in 2021 by Difaf Publications, followed by his second novel, The Eccentric Book Collector, published in 2023 by Elharf Publications. Both were longlisted for the Sheikh Zayed Book Award in the Young Author category.
Alongside his writing, he has narrated audiobooks of multiple genres across various platforms, including Dune, A Gentleman in Moscow, and selections from the Sherlock Holmes stories.