Danny Ramadan Explained

Danny Ramadan
داني رمضان
Birth Date: May 31, 1984
Birth Place:Damascus, Syria
Occupation:Author, activist
Awards:Lambda Literary Award for Gay Fiction (2023)

Ahmad Danny Ramadan (Arabic: أحمد داني رمضان; born May 31, 1984) is a Syrian–Canadian novelist, public speaker, and LGBTQ-refugee activist who was born in Damascus, Syria.[1] Ramadan's work focuses on themes of immigration, identity, diaspora and belonging. His debut novel, The Clothesline Swing, won multiple awards. The Foghorn Echoes won the 2023 Lambda Literary Award for Gay Fiction.[2] [3]

Currently, Ramadan lives in Vancouver, British Columbia with his husband.

Writing

Early work

Ramadan has translated the work of Saudi blogger Raif Badawi to English, released in 2015 by Greystone Books under the title 1000 Lashes: Because I Say What I Think.

Ramadan published two collections of short stories in Arabic while he lived in Egypt. His first collection, Death and Other Fools, was released by Dar Laila in 2004. His second collection, Aria, was released by Dar Malameh in 2008.

The Clothesline Swing

The Clothesline Swing is Ramadan's debut novel in English. Inspired by One Thousand and One Nights, the novel tells the epic story of two lovers anchored to the memory of a dying Syria. One is a Hakawati, a storyteller, keeping life in forwarding motion by relaying remembered fables to his dying partner. Each night he weaves stories of his childhood in Damascus, of the cruelty he has endured for his sexuality, of leaving home, of war, of his fated meeting with his lover. Meanwhile, Death himself, in his dark cloak, shares the house with the two men, eavesdropping on their secrets as he awaits their final undoing.In its review, titled "The Sweetest Taboo", Winnipeg Free Press stated the author "has crafted a novel that compels readers to share — vicariously, with his characters — the beauty and history of Syria, the horrors of civil war and the joy, release, and pain of forbidden love." adding that the novel is "an enjoyable if challenging, cultural and historical excursion."[4]

Publishers Weekly called the work "remarkable" stating that "Ramadan's delicate use of imagery links these narratives, allowing them to reverberate with meaning and emotion."[5]

"This debut novel from the Vancouver-based Syrian writer reads as many things," wrote Kamal Al-Solaylee for Canadian magazine Quill and Quire, "a coming-out memoir, a history lesson, a critique of authoritarianism, a narrative about sharing narratives – but above all, it's a requiem for a dying country and people."[6] The Globe and Mail called the novel "sombre, fantastical, violent and tender," adding that Ramadan's "English-language debut is a gay son's conflicted love letter to Syria."[7]

The Georgia Straight called Ramadan's narration "fragmented, poetic, and rich with magic realism," adding that the novel "is a lesson in both artistic mastery and human resilience. And, unexpectedly: joy."[8]

The Clothesline Swing won the Independent Publisher Book Awards' Golden Medal in the LGBT category,[9] as well as the Canadian Authors Association's Fred Kerner Award for Best Overall Fiction Book in 2018,[10] was picked among The Globe and Mail's 100 Best Books 2017,[11] and was number 7 of the Toronto Star Top 10 Books of 2017.[12] It was long listed on the CBC's Canada Reads 2018 contest,[13] shortlisted to the Forest of Reading's Evergreen Award 2018,[14] shortlisted for the Lambda Literary Award Gay Fiction category in 2018, and longlisted for Sunburst Award for Excellence in Canadian Literature of the Fantastic.[15]

The Clothesline Swing was translated to Hebrew and released in May 2018[16] as well as French, to be released in August 2019. The book was re-launched in the UK by British Publisher The Indigo Press.[17]

Salma the Syrian Chef

His children's book, Salma the Syria Chef, was released in 2020 by Annick Press.[18] The picture book tells the story of newcomer Salma whose mother is struggling to adjust to their new life in Canada. Salma decides to uplift her mother's spirit by cooking a traditional Syrian meal for her, with the help of their new friends in the Welcome Home they are living at.

“Salma is deeply relatable in her determination, frustration, and sensitivity, especially in moments when things do not go as planned," wrote Shannon Ozirny for Quill and Quire.[19] The book was also positively reviewed by Kirkus Reviews, who stated, "This beautiful story grasps diversity, exploring resilience, love, friendship, and the meaning of home."[20] Publishers Weekly praised the book's inclusive messages: "Ramadan writes with poetic immediacy about displacement, home, and family."[21]

Activism

In a Vice Media interview in 2016, Ramadan talked about the underground work he used to do to support and sometimes house queer individuals while he lived in Damascus.[22] He later elaborated on this experience in a 2018 interview and stated "I turned my house [in Damascus] into an underground LGBTQ centre... it was actually quite the loving community until I was arrested for it."[23] Ramadan mentioned in a separate interview to The Media Line, that he was arrested at the airport by Syrian officials and held for six weeks. After his release, he was declared a persona non grata by the Syrian government and as a result he immigrated to Lebanon as a refugee in 2012.[24] Eventually, Ramadan was granted asylum in Canada, and in September 2014 he immigrated to Vancouver, British Columbia.[25] By 2015, Ramadan already began working at Qmunity, a queer resource center in British Columbia.[26] Around the same time Ramadan was working for Qmunity, he started volunteering for the Rainbow Refugee Society which describes itself as, "a Vancouver based community group that helps individuals seeking refugee protection in Canada based on sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression (SOGIE) or HIV status."[27] While volunteering at the Rainbow Refugee Society, Ramadan helped organize and support the sponsorship of Syrian refugees.[28] Since May 2015, Ramadan has also run an annual fundraiser known as An Evening in Damascus. The goals of the fundraiser are to introduce the community to authentic Syrian culture and heritage, build a safe space for Syrian Queer and Trans refugees to celebrate their identity, offer opportunities to foster friendship and integration between Syrian Queer and Trans newcomers and LGBTQ2+ Canadian community members, and fundraise for private sponsorships.[29] [30] Through the fundraiser, Ramadan has raised over $150,000 for LGBTQ-identifying refugees, and he has helped 23 individuals obtain refugee protection in Canada. Ramadan speaks publicly about issues related to gay Syrian refugees, and he has expressed his views as a speaker at conferences and conventions such as TedxSFU, Qmunity's IDAHOT Breakfast, the Liberal Party Convention, and Six Degrees Conference. Ramadan used to write a bi-weekly column for Daily Xtra between 2012 and 2016, covering topics such as what it's like to live as a refugee in another country, and how to integrate LGBTQ refugees into Canadian society.[31] [32]

Since November 2016, Ramadan has served as Director-at-large for the board of Vancouver Pride Society, and as of 2019, Ramadan now serves as Director for the board of the Rainbow Railroad.[33] [34]

In 2016, Ramadan was honored as the grand marshal of the Vancouver Pride Festival for his work supporting LGBTQ-refugees and newcomers.[35] [36] In 2017, he was awarded the Social Activist StandOut Award by the Vancouver Pride Society for his social-activist work.[37] That same year he was also picked as one of the 25 Top Immigrants to Canada by Canadian Immigrant.[38] In 2018, he was a recipient of the 2018 Bonham Centre Award from the Mark S. Bonham Centre for Sexual Diversity Studies.[39]

Awards and honours

The Clothesline Swing was picked among The Globe and Mail's 100 Best Books 2017 and was number 7 on the Toronto Stars "Top 10 Books of 2017".

Salma the Syrian Chef was named one of the best picture's books of 2020 by Kirkus Reviews[40] and School Library Journal.[41]

Awards for Ramadan's writing!Year!Title!Award!Result!Ref
2018Longlist
Fred Kerner Award for Best Overall Fiction BookWinner
Forest of Reading Evergreen AwardShortlist
Independent Publisher Book Award for LGBT+ FictionGold
Lambda Literary Award for Gay FictionShortlist[42]
Sunburst Award for Young Adult Longlist
2019Salma the Syrian ChefNautilus Book Award for Children's BooksWinner[43]
Nautilus Book Award: Special Award for Best of Children'sWinner
2020INDIE Award for Picture Books, Early ReaderWinner[44]
Middle East Book Award for Picture BookWinner[45]
2021ALSC Notable Children's BooksSelection[46]
Blue Spruce AwardFinalist[47]
Christie Harris Illustrated Children's Literature PrizeFinalist[48] [49]
City of Vancouver Book AwardFinalist
2023Lambda Literary Award for Gay FictionWinner
City of Vancouver Book AwardFinalist[50]
BC and Yukon Book Prizes - Ethel Wilson Fiction PrizeFinalist[51]

Publications

Books

Salma books

Essays

Short story collections

Translations

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Danny Ramadan brings struggles of LGBT refugees to light. May 15, 2015. Cbc.ca. October 26, 2016. November 4, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161104100816/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/danny-ramadan-brings-struggles-of-lgbt-refugees-to-light-1.3075662. live.
  2. Web site: 2023 Winners . 2023-06-10 . . en.
  3. Web site: Schaub . Michael . 2023-06-12 . 2023 Lambda Literary Award Winners Are Revealed . 2023-06-13 . . en.
  4. News: The sweetest taboo. Winnipeg Free Press. June 24, 2017. 2017-07-02. Arnold. Gord. September 21, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210921014526/https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/entertainment/books/the-sweetest-taboo-430413923.html. live.
  5. Web site: Fiction Book Review: The Clothesline Swing – Publishers Weekly. https://web.archive.org/web/20201129195706/https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780889713321?permamore. November 29, 2020. live.
  6. Web site: The Clothesline Swing – Quill and Quire. May 23, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20210120182634/https://quillandquire.com/review/the-clothesline-swing/. January 20, 2021. live.
  7. News: Review: Eamon McGrath's Berlin-Warszawa Express, Ahmad Danny Ramadan's The Clothesline Swing and Ami Sands Brodoff's In Many Waters. Colbert. Jade. May 12, 2017. The Globe and Mail. May 27, 2017. March 21, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190321021706/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/book-reviews/review-eamon-mcgraths-berlin-warszawa-express-ahmad-danny-ramadans-the-clothesling-swing-and-ami-sands-brodoffs-in-many-waters/article34967423/. live.
  8. News: Ahmad Danny Ramadan honours resilience in The Clothesline Swing. June 7, 2017. Georgia Straight Vancouver's News & Entertainment Weekly. 2017-06-27. en. May 28, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180528222257/https://www.straight.com/arts/921061/ahmad-danny-ramadan-honours-resilience-clothesline-swing. live.
  9. Web site: 2018 Medalists Categories 1–42 . 2018-06-19 . IPPY Awards . en . April 29, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210429004007/https://ippyawards.com/128/medalists/2018-medalists-categories-1-42 . live .
  10. News: 2018 Fred Kerner Book Award Winner and Shortlist . en-US . . 2022-01-09 . January 1, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220101130443/https://canadianauthors.org/national/2018-fred-kerner-award-winner-shortlist/ . live .
  11. News: The Globe 100:These are the best books of 2017. December 14, 2017. The Globe and Mail. 2017-12-22. en. September 21, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210921014557/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/the-globe-100-these-are-the-best-books-of2017/article37071356/. live.
  12. News: The Star's top 10 books of 2017. December 22, 2017. The Toronto Star. 2017-12-22. en. September 21, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210921015023/https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/books/2017/12/22/the-stars-top-10-books-of-2017.html. live.
  13. News: The Canada Reads 2018 longlist is here! CBC Books . en-US . . 2018-01-09 . July 19, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180719202726/http://www.cbc.ca/books/canadareads/the-canada-reads-2018-longlist-is-here-1.4471348 . live .
  14. Web site: Forest of Reading . 2018-02-02 . www.accessola.org . September 16, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200916231454/http://www.accessola.org/web/OLA/Forest_of_Reading/OLA/Forest_of_Reading/Forest_of_Reading.aspx?hkey=e913abbb-1687-438d-bc68-64eda110aeb1 . live .
  15. Web site: 2018 Sunburst Award Longlist! The Sunburst Award Society. www.sunburstaward.org. en. 2018-06-19. February 28, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210228011502/http://www.sunburstaward.org/2018-longlist. live.
  16. News: "נדנדת חבלי הכביסה": זיכרונותיו של פליט הומו מסוריה הפכו לאגדה אכזרית. גונן. יוענה. הארץ. 2019-05-28. he. May 18, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210518144744/https://www.haaretz.co.il/literature/.premium-REVIEW-1.5893101. live.
  17. Web site: The Clothesline Swing. The Indigo Press. May 2, 2019 . en-GB. 2019-05-28. May 28, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190528194807/https://www.theindigopress.com/the-clothesline-swing. live.
  18. Web site: Salma the Syrian Chef, Picture Books. Canadian Children's Books – Annick Press. en. 2020-02-17. February 23, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200223222952/http://annickpress.com/Salma-the-Syrian-Chef. live.
  19. Web site: Salma the Syrian Chef. January 27, 2020. Quill and Quire. 2020-02-17. January 25, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210125231824/https://quillandquire.com/review/salma-the-syrian-chef/. live.
  20. Web site: 2020-01-25 . Salma the Syrian Chef . 2023-06-11 . . February 28, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210228200246/https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/danny-ramadan/salma-the-syrian-chef/ . live .
  21. Web site: Children's Book Review: Salma the Syrian Chef by Danny Ramadan, illus. By Anna Bron. Annick, $18.95 (40p) ISBN 978-1-77321-375-0 . 2020-02-17 . . January 24, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210124035534/https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-77321-375-0 . live .
  22. Web site: Meet the Gay Syrian Refugee Who's Leading Vancouver's Pride Parade. Berman. Sarah. July 26, 2016. Vice. en. 2019-12-08. December 8, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191208191814/https://www.vice.com/en_ca/article/jmkqwx/meet-the-gay-syrian-refugee-whos-leading-vancouvers-pride-parade. live.
  23. Web site: Q&A: Ahmad Danny Ramadan on the unique experiences of LGBTQ refugees. February 27, 2018. This Magazine. en-CA. 2019-12-08. September 21, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210921014526/https://this.org/2018/02/27/qa-ahmad-danny-ramadan-on-the-unique-experiences-of-lgbtq-refugees/. live.
  24. News: Syrian, Gay, Refugee: Author Tells Media Line of Trials and Tribulations (with VIDEO). May 14, 2019. The Media Line. en-US. 2019-12-11. September 21, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210921014441/https://themedialine.org/people/syrian-gay-refugee-author-tells-media-line-of-trials-and-tribulations/. live.
  25. Web site: Gay Syrian refugees start new lives in Vancouver. CBC News. 2016-10-26. September 21, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210921021445/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/gay-syrian-refugees-start-new-lives-in-vancouver-1.2762217. live.
  26. Web site: Welcome to the team, Danny!. QMUNITY. en-US. 2019-12-08. December 8, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191208180310/https://qmunity.ca/news/welcome-danny/. live.
  27. Web site: Helping LGBTQ+ Refugees Resettle in Canada – Rainbow Refugee Vancouver. www.rainbowrefugee.com. en. 2019-12-08. September 1, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210901124844/https://www.rainbowrefugee.com/about-us. live.
  28. Web site: Ahmad Danny Ramadan. Canadian Immigrant. en-US. 2019-12-08. February 26, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210226095433/https://canadianimmigrant.ca/canadas-top-25-immigrants/canadas-top-25-immigrants-2017/ahmad-danny-ramadan. live.
  29. Web site: Bio. April 20, 2016. Ahmad Danny Ramadan. en-US. 2019-12-11. May 4, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210504033951/https://www.dannyramadan.com/bio/. live.
  30. Web site: Why Damascus?. An Evening in Damascus. 2019-12-08. March 1, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210301194410/https://eveningindamascus.com/why-damascus. live.
  31. Web site: Contributor Profile. Ahmed Danny Ramadan. October 18, 2013. Daily Xtra. October 26, 2016. January 18, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170118042719/http://www.dailyxtra.com/contributor/Ahmed%20Danny%20Ramadan. live.
  32. Web site: Ahmed Danny Ramadan. Xtra. 2019-12-11. January 18, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170118042719/http://www.dailyxtra.com/contributor/Ahmed. live.
  33. Web site: Our Board. www.rainbowrailroad.org. 2019-12-08. September 18, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200918163544/https://www.rainbowrailroad.org/our-board. live.
  34. Web site: Vancouver Pride Society :: Screens. Vancouver Pride Society. en-us. 2019-12-08. May 14, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200514175330/http://www.vancouverpride.ca/screens. dead.
  35. Web site: Gay Syrian refugee leads Vancouver Pride parade. Johnson. Chris. October 21, 2016. Washington Blade. October 26, 2016. August 3, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210803134717/https://www.washingtonblade.com/2016/07/31/gay-syrian-refugee-leads-vancouver-pride-parade/. live.
  36. Web site: Cafe Politics: Vancouver Pride Grand Marshall hosts 'Evening in Damascus' LGBTQ refugee fundraiser. July 22, 2016. Metro. October 26, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20171205204646/http://www.metronews.ca/features/vancouver/vancouvering/2016/07/22/vancouver-pride-grand-marshall-lgbtq-refugee-fundraiser.html. December 5, 2017. dead.
  37. Web site: StandOUT! Awards and LOUD scholarships honour Vancouver's outstanding LGBT individuals and allies. June 30, 2017. The Georgia Straight. en. 2019-12-13. September 21, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210921014723/https://www.straight.com/life/931561/standout-awards-and-loud-scholarships-honour-vancouvers-outstanding-lgbt-individuals-and. live.
  38. Web site: RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrants of 2017 announced! Canadian Immigrant. canadianimmigrant.ca. en-US. 2017-06-27. October 31, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171031142424/http://canadianimmigrant.ca/slider/rbc-top-25-canadian-immigrants-of-2017-announced. live.
  39. Web site: Bonham Centre Awards Gala 2018. my.alumni.utoronto.ca. 2019-12-13. September 21, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210921161729/https://my.alumni.utoronto.ca/s/731/start.aspx?sid=731&gid=37&pgid=13521&cid=22657&ecid=22657. live.
  40. Web site: Best of 2020 . 2023-06-11 . Kirkus Reviews . en . February 3, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230203190932/https://www.kirkusreviews.com/best-of/2020/picture-books/books/ . live .
  41. Web site: Beaver . Ramarie . Olson Fakih . Kimberly . Scott . John . Tran . Allison . 2020-11-23 . Best Picture Books 2020 . 2023-06-11 . . February 12, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230212190557/https://www.slj.com/story/best-picture-books-2020-slj-best-books . live .
  42. Web site: Boureau . Ella . 2018-03-06 . 30th Annual Lambda Literary Award Finalists Announced . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200319061534/https://www.lambdaliterary.org/2018/03/lambda-literary-award-finalists/ . 2020-03-19 . 2022-01-11 . Lambda Literary . en.
  43. Web site: 2019 Grand/Gold Winners . 2023-06-11 . Nautilus Book Awards . en . November 28, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201128022707/https://nautilusbookawards.com/2019-grandgold-winners/ . live .
  44. Web site: "Salma the Syrian Chef" is a 2020 Foreword INDIES Winner . 2023-06-11 . Foreword Reviews . en . June 25, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220625044658/https://www.forewordreviews.com/awards/books/salma-the-syrian-chef/ . live .
  45. Web site: Picture Book Honorees Middle East Book Award . 2023-06-11 . Middle East Outreach Council . en . April 17, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230417183153/http://www.meoc.us/picture-book.html . live .
  46. Web site: 2021-03-15 . Notable Children's Books: 2021 . 2023-06-11 . . January 31, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220131155421/https://www.booklistonline.com/Notable-Children-s-Books/pid=9745857 . live .
  47. Web site: Blue Spruce Award™ Winners and Nominees 2002–2022 . 2023-06-11 . . 2 . March 24, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230324023720/http://forestofreading.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/01-Blue-Spruce-Archive-2022.pdf . live .
  48. Web site: Porter . Ryan . 2021-04-08 . Eight shortlists announced for BC and Yukon Book Prizes . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220808073040/https://quillandquire.com/omni/eight-shortlists-announced-for-bc-and-yukon-book-prizes/ . 2022-08-08 . 2023-05-29 . . en.
  49. Web site: 2021-04-16 . Michelle Good, Billy-Ray Belcourt among 2021 BC and Yukon Book Prize finalists . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220707151407/https://www.cbc.ca/books/michelle-good-billy-ray-belcourt-among-2021-bc-and-yukon-book-prize-finalists-1.5979892 . 2022-07-07 . 2023-05-29 . CBC Books.
  50. Web site: Vancouver . City of . City of Vancouver Book Award . 2023-12-12 . vancouver.ca . en.
  51. Web site: Winners & Finalists . 2023-12-12 . BC and Yukon Book Prizes . en-US.

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