Iraqi Writer Jalil Khazaal sings his short story collection at the 4th Children’s Book Fair in Lattakia
On the sidelines of 4th Children’s Book Fair, currently held at the Children’ Public Library Association in Lattakia, the Iraqi writer and poet Jalil Khazaal signed his short story collection “When the Crow Sings”. The writer highlighted the importance of having specialized literature for children that is characterized by both responsibility and creativity.
Khazaal believed that children’s literature is functional literature that must be represented in an educational and creative way which is the task of the creative writers through employ their abilities in literary works that are appropriate to every age group.
The Iraqi writer views that this cannot be achieved unless the writer enjoys the skill and talent of writing, which is represented by language, style, and the ability to innovate and come up with something new.
Through a forty-year career of writing for children, and more than 150 books, including stories, poetry, plays, and educational books, in addition to many songs of the most famous children’s programs, Khazaal believes that he has presented effective and encouraging models that serve as role models for Arab children.
Khazaal reviewed some of the history of children journalism in Iraq and a number of Arab countries, which had a great influence on Arab children through a number of magazines including “Majallati” (My Magazine) in Iraq,” “Osama” in Syria,” “Mickey” in Egypt,” “Majid” in the Emirates,” and “Al-Arabi Al-Sagheer” in Kuwait.
These magazines, according to the writer, constituted a turning point in children’s journalism and had a major impact in raising the awareness of these generations.
The writer Khazaal, who holds a master’s degree in education and psychology in methods of teaching biology, has won many local and Arab awards, and his literary works have been printed in most countries of the Arab world, and translated into English, German, Italian, Japanese, and others.
Khazaal’s literary texts are also taught in the curricula of kindergarten, primary, institutes, and university levels in Iraq and many Arab countries.
The Iraqi writer occupied many positions, including editor-in-chief of “Majalati” and” Al-Mizmar” magazine, and head of the Children’s Literature Club in the General Union of Authors and Writers in Iraq.
Rawaa Ghanam