The Heart is a Country: Stories of War, Friendship and Hope from Iraq, Syria, and the Holy Land (In Person)

This event has been cancelled.

October 23, 2:00-3:30pm

No charge (Collection will take place for the Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund)

Location: Assisi Heights (1001 14th Street NW, Rochester, MN 55901) Click here for map.

Stephanie Saldaña will begin by sharing the stories of inter-religious friendship she has witnessed over decades in the Middle East. She will then turn to the narratives of individuals from Iraq and Syria and what they carried when they escaped from war. There’s Hana, who sewed the story of her city into a dress. Ferhad, who saved his music during war. Adnan and Ghadir, who rebuilt their pharmacy even as Aleppo crumbled around them. Each story captures the religious diversity of the Middle East on the edge of unraveling, and the courageous people saving it with their stories. She will conclude with stories of how her neighbors are keeping hope in the Holy Land.

Stephanie lives in Bethlehem with her husband and three children and is author of the book What We Remember Will be Saved.

Welcome to this in person program at Assisi Heights! Please refrain from attending if experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19 or other illness or have been exposed to any persons infected with COVID-19. Please park in the lot in front of Assisi Heights and enter through the main entrance.