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German book launch and reviews for ‘Al-Faẓia’ الفظیع – The Horror: Surviving Syria’s Prisons’ – May 26, 2026

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The book launch for Tobi Dahmen’s graphic novel Al-Faẓia’ الفظیع – the Horror: Surviving Syria’s Prisons, inspired by Akram Al Saud’s experiences in the Syrian prison system, took place on May 26, 2026, at the Carlsen Verlag publishing house in Hamburg, Germany. The event included a reading by Tobi, followed by a moderated discussion with Matthias Wieland, Akram, and Tobi, during which they shared insights into their collaboration and creative process. The trailer of their upcoming documentary film, How to draw darkness? a story from Syria was also screened.

Book launch of Al-Faẓia’ الفظیع – the Horror: Surviving Syria’s Prisons on May 26, 2026, at publishing house of Carlsen Verlag in Hamburg, Germany. Photos Courtesy of Carlsen Veralg.

Akram reflected on their partnership and shared:

With great care, patience, and sensitivity, Tobi transformed years of memory and conversations into a visual narrative.

Al-Faẓia’ is personal, but it is not only personal. It belongs to a much larger Syrian memory: the memory of detainees, survivors, victims, families, and everyone still asking for truth and justice.

The book launch was followed up with presentations and readings at the Wilhelm Liebknecht Central Library on May 27 and at the Luisenbad Library on May 28 in Berlin. In June, Tobi participated in a talk with journalist Christopher Haas at the annual International Comic Salon held in Erlangen. The Comic Salon also featured their work in an exhibition “Defending Democracy” from May 7 to June 9, 2026. He was one of thirty artists chosen to display their political cartoons, comics and drawings. Tobi continues to tour with the graphic novel, and his latest readings and events can be found on his blog: https://www.tobidahmen.de/latest-news

First Reviews of Al-Faẓia’

Since its debut in May, Al-Faẓia’ has received positive and thoughtful reviews from critics and reviewers alike.

Ella Rendtorff from the German daily newspaper taz stated:

By suggesting more than he depicts, he achieves a sensitive visual language for his subject’s traumatic experiences…the graphic novel Al-Faẓia’ الفظیع – the Horror is a powerful testament to courageous resistance.

An article by German culture blog Highlight Zone noted:

More powerfully than a newspaper article or a TV report, this comic, complete with an extensive appendix, conveys the tragic story of a young Syrian man, whose fate is unfortunately far from unique.

Monthly German cultural magazine kulturnews observed that:

The unique collaboration between Tobi Dahmen and Akram Al Saud demonstrates how the unspeakable can find expression in art.

An intellectual history blog, Rotsinn highlighted how:

Dahmen “distances” Al Saud’s narrative so effectively that we, the readers, are not alienated from this story, but rather can begin to grasp, at least in part, what was happening in Syria, what was happening in this specific life of one person.

The graphic novel was also featured in the Dailyklappentext book podcast episode 497.

We are grateful for the first reviews and features on the German release of Al Faẓia’, and look forward to the upcoming English publication by the University of Toronto Press in November 2026.  

‘Gib nicht auf!’ book launch in Hamburg, Germany – Nov 12, 2026

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We welcome you to join the German book launch for Gib nicht auf! Wie eine Junge Ezidin den Völkermord überlebt (Don’t Give Up! How a young Yezidi survived the genocide) at the Fux eG arts cooperative in Hamburg, Germany on Thursday, November 12, 2026.

This graphic novel is a collaboration between artist Birgit Weyhe and Yezidi survivor Jilan (pseudonym) who survived the 2014 genocide against the Yezidi in Sinjar, northern Iraq, where she was captured and sold into slavery. The book was produced by our Iraq/Syria Research Cluster

The graphic novel is the first time Jilan shares her story publicly: about the fear of death during her captivity, her life as a slave, her eventual escape, coping with her trauma, and the first steps toward a new, self-determined life in Germany.

The event will feature a reading by graphic artist Birgit Weyhe and a panel discussion with Birgit, Kamal Murad (Ezidi Youth Union) and Christiane Hess (Hamburg Foundation for Memorials and Learning Sites in Memory of the Victims of Nazi Crimes).

Following the panel discussion, there will also be music by Nesibe and a catered a reception.
Registration is not required.

Please contact Dr. Leyla Ferman (leyla.ferman@gmail.com) if you have any questions about the event.



Event Details: Book Launch of ‘Gib Nicht Auf!‘
Date: November 12, 2026
Time: 7:00 – 8:30 pm (doors open at 6:30 pm)
Location: fux eG, Zeiseweg 9, 22765 Hamburg

Panelists

Birgit Weyhe is a comic book artist. She was born in 1969 in Munich and achieved a Master’s Degree in German Literature and History, as well as a Diploma in illustration. Weyhe‘s Graphic Novels have been nominated for various prizes in Germany, France and Japan. Her books focus on research-based historical and political themes. In 2022 she was honoured the ‘Best German-language Comics Artist’ at the International Comic-Salon in Erlangen. She was also the first comic artist ever to receive the prestigious ‘Hamburg Lessing Grant’. Her Graphic Novel “Rude Girl” was shortlisted in 2022 for the Hamburg Literature Prize as Book of the Year and in 2023 the first comic ever to be nominated for the Leipzig Book Fair Prize. Her Comic “Schweigen“ is nominated for the German Youth Literature Prize. She lives and works in Hamburg. Her books have been reviewed in all major German print media (e.g., Die Zeit, SZ, FAZ, Tagesspiegel, taz, FR).

Dr. Leyla Ferman is a political scientist and researcher with extensive experience in project leadership, research, and international collaboration. She holds a PhD in Political Science from Leibniz University Hannover, where she studied decentralization and ethnic conflicts in Turkey. Her professional work spans academia, public institutions, research organizations, and civil society. She currently works at Qualiservice, SOCIUM – Research Center on Inequality and Social Policy at the University of Bremen, focusing on research data management, project support, and the curation of anonymized data collections. Previously, she led a documentation and education project at the Lower Saxony Memorials Foundation. Her research and publications focus on genocide, memory, minorities, democracy, and participation.

Kamal Murad is part of the Ezidi Youth Union / Youth of Germany (Ezidische Jugend Deutschland e. V. (EJD), a registered, non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the young Ezidi (Yezidi) diaspora community in Germany. As Germany is home to the largest Ezidi diaspora in the world, the EJD provides a vital network for young people navigating life between traditional culture and modern German society. The association also operates a central platform alongside regional branches—such as the Ezidische Jugend Deutschland Nordrhein-Westfalen e. V. (the country’s first state-level association for Ezidi youth, founded in 2018).

Dr. Christiane Hess is a German historian, author and educator who currently works at the Foundation of Hamburg Memorials and Learning Centres commemorating the Victims of Nazi Crimes. In this role, she is responsible for historical and political education, as well as the public programme, particularly for the Fuhlsbüttel and Stadthaus memorial sites. One of her main areas of research is the visual and material culture of the Nazi camps and the Holocaust.

Kjell Anderson is a jurist and social scientist specialised in the study of mass atrocities and human rights. He is the author of Perpetrating Genocide: A Criminological Account (Routledge 2019) and the co-editor (with Erin Jessee) of Researching Perpetrators of Genocide (University of Wisconsin Press, 2020). His book – The Dilemma of Dominic Ongwen (Rutgers University Press, forthcoming) draws from extensive qualitative interviews to examine the life of Dominic Ongwen. Ongwen is a former child soldier in the Lord’s Resistance Army (Uganda), who was recently convicted by the International Criminal Court of crimes against humanity and war crimes.

Still featuring pages of Gib nicht auf! from the short documentary I Just Keep Going (2026) by filmmaker Olaf Markmann.

Work on the graphic novel began in November 2024, when Jilan met graphic novelist Birgit Weyhe in Germany—an encounter facilitated by researcher and community liaison Dr. Leyla Ferman. The work has unfolded through intimate conversations, evolving sketches, and dialogue in collaboration with research cluster co-lead, Dr. Kjell Anderson.

Congratulations to Birgit and Jilan on co-creating this incredible graphic novel and to our Iraq/Syria Research Cluster.

Gib nicht auf! is now available in German by publisher Avant-Verlag. Learn more about Gib nicht auf! here.

Many thanks to Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) for our project funding, and NIOD Institute for War, Holocaust and Genocide Studies and University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Law for supporting additional pages for our graphic narrative.

‘Two Roses’ book launch featured in Der Tagesspiegel

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On April 13, 2026, Der Tagesspiegel published an article by journalist Lars von Törne, ‘“We are all little miracles”: The Holocaust survival story of Rose Lipszyc’, about the book launch and graphic novel Two Roses: A Story of Deception and Determination in Nazi Germany. In his feature, Lars stated that what makes the graphic novel special is that:  

“…every scene and every detail was developed in close collaboration not only with Rose Lipszyc, with whom Libicki became friends during their work together, but also with a team of historians and other experts who verified all the facts and gave the narrative a form that goes far beyond a simple retelling of history.

The sold-out book launch was hosted by our project partner the Toronto Holocaust Museum on March 25, 2026, and Lars was among the family, friends and general public who gathered to celebrate Holocaust survivor Rose Lipszyc, whose story is recounted in Two Roses. The launch included a panel with Rose and graphic artist Miriam Libicki, joined by co-editors Mark Celinscak and Charlotte Schallié and moderated by professor Sara R. Horowitz. The article showcased photos from the launch, as well as a selection of pages from the graphic novel.

Pages from Two Roses featured in the article. Panels by Miriam Libicki.

The graphic novel “Two Roses” tells this adventurous life story in a gripping way, with clear and accessible illustrations.
– Lars von Törne

Der Tagesspiegel is a major German daily newspaper with a circulation of over 100,000. The article was published just a few days before the exciting news that Two Roses sold out its first print run of 1,200 copies. Congratulations to Rose, Miriam, Mark and Charlotte, and everyone on the Two Roses team for this well-deserved success!

Rose Lipszyc and Miriam Libicki. Photo provided by DWM Creative for the Toronto Holocaust Museum.

“I hope our book will resonate with many young people,” she says. “I was their age back then—perhaps this will help them understand the story better.”
– Rose Lipszyc

To read the full Der Tagesspiegel article in German, follow this link. For non-German speakers, please use your browser’s auto-translate feature.

Two Roses is also available for purchase from the University of Toronto Press here.

Sold-out book launch of ‘Two Roses’ at Toronto Holocaust Museum – Mar 25, 2026

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The Survivor-Centred Visual Narratives project offers its heartfelt appreciation to the Toronto Holocaust Museum for hosting the book launch for Two Roses: A Story of Deception and Determination in Nazi Germany. At the launch, we honoured Rose Lipszyc whose story is featured in Two Roses. Joining Rose on stage was graphic artist Miriam Libicki, and co-editors Mark Celinscak and Charlotte Schallié. The panel was moderated by York University’s Sara Horowitz. The sold-out event was a beautiful tribute to Rose and the launch of this important work.

Book launch photos provided by DWM Creative for the Toronto Holocaust Museum, March 25, 2026.

Book launch of ‘Two Roses’ at Toronto Holocaust Museum – Mar 25, 2026

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We are delighted to announce that the Toronto Holocaust Museum will host the book launch of our graphic novel Two Roses: A Story of Deception and Determination in Nazi Germany on March 25, 2026. Developed by graphic artist Miriam Libicki, Two Roses depicts the story of Holocaust survivor Rose Lipszyc and her aunt Róza Finkielsztaj in Nazi Germany.

The program will include a panel conversation with Rose Lipszyc, Miriam Libicki, and co-editors Mark Celinscak and Charlotte Schallié. The discussion will be moderated by Professor Sara R. Horowitz (York University). Copies of the book will be available for purchase, and be purchased online at the University of Toronto Press.

Registration is free of charge, and guests may explore the galleries and engage with Rose’s testimony as part of the museum experience before the event.

For more information, visit the Toronto Holocaust Museum‘s page: https://torontoholocaustmuseum.org/events/two-roses-book-launch

We sincerely thank the dedicated team at the Toronto Holocaust Museum for their coordination of the book launch and making this a special event to honour Rose and her legacy of Holocaust education.

We would also like to acknowledge this event was made possible with additional funding support from the Government of Canada’s Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Program’s new initiative, the National Holocaust Remembrance Program (NHRP). This program supports initiatives that seek to preserve the memory of the Holocaust and help improve Canadians’ understanding and awareness of the Holocaust and contemporary antisemitism.

Please register in advance, as space is limited, and we look forward to seeing you there!

Publication of Barbara Yelin’s ‘Emmie Arbel. The Colour of Memory’

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We are delighted to announce the publication of Barbara Yelin’s graphic novel ‘Emmie Arbel. Die Farbe der Erinnerung’ (Emmie Arbel. The Colour of Memory) documenting her extensive memory work with Emmie Arbel.

Born in Holland in 1937, Emmie Arbel was deported with her Jewish family in 1942 and survived the Nazi concentration camps Ravensbrück and Bergen-Belsen as a child. Her parents and grandparents were murdered by the Nazis in the Holocaust.

Emmie Arbel now lives near Haifa, Israel. She often travels to Germany to speak as a contemporary witness. Although her childhood was marked by death, speechlessness, abuse and loneliness, she looks back on a life full of rebellion, self-empowerment and humour. In her constant effort to bring her memories out of the silence, the consequences of the Holocaust become visible – in her life, with her family, in every single day.

Barbara Yelin’s graphic novel is based on her personal encounters and numerous intensive conversations with Emmie Arbel. It is a continuation of the first collaboration, and includes 40 pages already published in the anthology “Aber ich leben” (CH Beck) (“But I Live: Three Stories of Child Survivors of the Holocaust” (University of Toronto Press) from 2022.

Edited by Charlotte Schallié and Alexander Korb, the graphic novel will be published on November 6, 2023 and is available to purchase from Reprodukt Publishing.

Reviews and Mentions

Find the article here (German only).

“For her, drawing, Yelin once said, is a process of searching, recognizing and carefully approaching reality. In ‘Emmie Arbel – The Colour of Memory’ she masterfully shows where this process can lead.”

Lars von Törne, 2023