The Book Collectors of Daraya

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Award-winning journalist Delphine Minoui recounts the true story of young rebels in besieged Daraya, Syria, who find hope amid chaos by creating an underground library from the rubble of war. As bombs fall daily, a group searching for survivors discovers a cache of books and quickly amasses a collection of six thousand volumes within a week, growing to fifteen thousand in a month. This library becomes a sanctuary for the people of Daraya, allowing them to explore beyond the blockade. For four years, the town, a site of peaceful resistance against the Assad regime, was under siege, with no entry or exit and blocked international aid. In 2015, Minoui learned about this secret library and connected with one of its founders, twenty-three-year-old Ahmad, an aspiring photojournalist. Through WhatsApp and Facebook, she discovered the young men who gathered to exchange ideas, learn English, and envision a future, all while bombs rained down. They read a diverse array of books, from self-help to poetry and stories of past sieges. Sharing their lives and aspirations, they began to build a democracy and sustain a community in the midst of destruction. Minoui’s narrative brings this complex conflict to life, making it immediate and relatable, and inspiring readers to consider the resilience of the human spirit.