Today’s mail brought something I’ve been eagerly awaiting for a long time: an envelope containing the book by my friends at Syrbanism. The two Syrbanism founders, Nour Harastani and Edwar Hanna, have worked on it for more than a year—and the result is a wonderful book. Life in Berlin is explored from the perspective of migrants and refugees, showing how their experiences reshape the understanding of the city, of belonging, and of urban life. The thoughtful texts and reflections—rooted in the authors’ own experiences as well as those of many other Syrians in Berlin—are accompanied by striking illustrations by George Butler, who has created many other perceptive visual snapshots of life in places shaped by conflict and catastrophe.

“Inspired by Italo Calvino's literary principles, this journey explores Berlin's essence through the lenses of Quickness, Exactitude, Visibility, Multiplicity, Lightness, and Consistency.

The text explores Berlin through its dual rhythms of life, sensory connections, dynamic imagination, familiarity, multiplicity, inclusivity, refuge of joy, and identity transformation. The narrative extends a warm embrace to newcomers, offering pages filled with experiences that support their diverse ways of making a home.”