New faces joined familiar supporters as a Haslemere event celebrated Palestinian literature and the power of books to bring people together.

The PalestineReads event, held from Monday, July 20 to Saturday, July 25, welcomed visitors to The Haslemere Bookshop, where they explored works by Palestinian authors, writers from the diaspora and stories inspired by Palestine. Organised by Solidarity 4 Palestine Haslemere in partnership with the independent bookshop, the event aimed to introduce readers to Palestinian voices and encourage discussion through literature.

Visitors browsed a specially curated selection of books before gathering for coffee and conversation at The Georgian Coppa Club, where they reflected on the stories they had discovered and the themes they explored.

Rose Callaghan, from Solidarity 4 Palestine Haslemere, said the event had created a warm and welcoming atmosphere while attracting people who were attending for the first time.

Readers gathered for the PalestineReads event, celebrating Palestinian literature and encouraging discussion through books.
Readers gathered for the PalestineReads event, celebrating Palestinian literature and encouraging discussion through books. (Solidarity 4 Palestine Haslemere)

"It was such a lovely, positive occasion and great to see new people who said how determined they were to support this local initiative to show solidarity," she said.

"The bookshop was definitely a beautiful lynchpin holding important elements together: community, a love of books, Palestine, and our shared humanity."

Attendees later met on the Summer Terrace at The Georgian Coppa Club, where baklava supplied by Zaitouna Lebanese Restaurant & Bakery in Guildford was served.

Ms Callaghan said: "A big shout out to the wonderful Zaitouna Lebanese restaurant & bakery in Guildford for the delicious baklava, which we all drooled over and disappeared in no time.

"We felt it was important to support them as a Surrey business, but also with the atrocities currently happening in Lebanon."

She also thanked staff at The Georgian Coppa Club for welcoming the group after the bookshop visit.

"Also a huge thank you to the lovely welcoming staff at The Georgian Coppa Club, who provided such a beautiful space on the Summer Terrace to come together after our bookshop visit," she said.

Following the success of the week-long celebration, The Haslemere Bookshop has extended its PalestineReads display for a further two weeks after high levels of interest from customers.