War, exile, and love: Hussein Al-Dahir’s poetic journey in Færder
Hussein Al-Dahir is a Syrian poet, writer, and journalist who has been in ICORN residence in Færder, Norway since June 2024. In just six months, he has already made a significant impact on his City of Refuge and beyond.
Since the beginning of his ICORN residency, Al-Dahir has participated in more than a dozen literary and cultural events, where he has shared his poetry and engaged in discussions on literature, freedom of expression, and the profound changes unfolding in Syria.
Locally, Al-Dahir has seamlessly fit in the cultural scene of Færder and Tønsberg. In October 2024, he took part in an event at the renowned Fulehuk Lighthouse. In December, he read his poetry and spoke at ‘War, Exile, and Love’ evening held at Nidhogg Brønnen in Tønsberg.
In 2025, Al-Dahir has already given readings at the opening of the ‘Beyond Borders’ exhibition at the Quartum Galleri in Tønsberg and has visited a local school, engaging Arabic-speaking pupils in shared reading. Most recently, he shared his work at the Færder edition of the nationwide event ‘Hele Norge båler’ and at a sequel of ‘War, Exile, and Love’ with Syrian poetry and art.
Reflecting on his time in Færder so far, Hussein Al-Dahir shares:
‘I find these activities enriching and well-suited to my level of engagement. Additionally, Ina, the ICORN coordinator in Færder, provides me with invaluable support, diligently following my work with dedication and seriousness.
I believe the community here appreciates the poems and stories I present. I am also working closely with Ina to translate several of my writings, which is essential for ensuring a diverse and continuous cultural exchange.
For me, these experiences represent steps forward in a new and unfamiliar cultural environment. They have also brought new relationships and friendships that empower me to continue my literary project, which I feel is gaining traction, even within the Arabic-speaking community.
My new book will be released next month or by the end of it- I am currently working with the publisher on the final steps’.
Beyond Færder, Al-Dahir has participated in events across Norway, including open mic evenings with the Drammen Poetry Club in January 2025 and a reading at Trøndelag Theatre during the Norwegian ICORN Network Meeting in Trondheim in October 2024.
Internationally, he remains active in literary circles. In August 2024, he took part in a poetry evening and panel discussion in Örebro, Sweden, alongside Wafai Laila, Mohammad Althaher, and Fatema Hersan. He has also contributed to online literary discussions, including the Syrian Writers Association's session in Paris in November 2024 and the Aleppo Forum for Prose Poetry in Brussels in July 2024.
In recognition of his work, Al-Dahir was awarded The Creative and Critical Writings Grant by the Arab Fund for Arts and Culture in August 2024. His latest poetry collection is set for publication in Arabic in March 2025.
