Creators of Letters to the Holy Land
Sara Dweik and Maria Amiouni
Fourteen years ago, Sara and Maria first crossed paths as college interns in London, never anticipating that poetry would eventually unite them in purpose. Back then, they were still discovering their paths.
The inspiration for the book was ignited by Sara, who, deeply moved by Palestinian artist Hazem Harb’s live show in Dubai, felt a strong pull from her Palestinian heritage and sense of purpose.
One evening, she reached out to her sister in rhyme, Maria, a self published poet who wrote Heaven Rings in My Ears, with a clear vision: “Maria, let’s write a poetry book together for Palestine.”
Maria was immediately drawn to the idea but felt such a meaningful project needed to be broader. She connected with her poet friend, Laila Shaheen, who, through her ties to the poetry community in Dubai, introduced other remarkable voices, including Jennah Fakhouri, Abeer Alaloul, and Danabelle Gutierrez.
In just weeks, nearly 100 poets from around the world submitted their work, transforming the original idea into a global collaboration beyond their wildest expectations.
As the project grew, Sara and Maria leaned into their strengths, seamlessly managing logistics, coordinating communication, and guiding the creative vision for the book.
They collaborated on every detail, from the book’s dimensions to its color palette, and, with the artistic talents of Sama Alameddine, the Illustrator and Graphic Designer, brought the poetry to life.
The cover was the final piece of the puzzle, and it all fell into place when Maria discovered Chio Fernandez’s artwork on Instagram. Captivated by both her work and her mission selling posters to support medical aid for children in Gaza—Maria reached out. Chio’s art was the perfect fit for the team of women behind Letters to the Holy Land, capturing their collective vision and bringing the cover to life in a way that felt both powerful and personal.
Together, the team harmonized beautifully, creating not just a collection of poems but a heartfelt tribute to a cause deeply close to them. Brought together by fate, they poured their dedication into producing this meaningful book, eagerly awaiting the moment it can be shared with you.
