Friends of Fearness

“The work of female Palestinian author Marwa Abu Raida is courageous and remarkable in many ways. Against the backdrop of the terrible war and the suffering of the civilian population of her country, Marwa Abu Raida’s novel explores the possibility of a friendship between a Palestinian man and an Israeli man amid the discord of the current reality of war and hatred. Following the publication of her book, she was hunted down as a traitor. For her beautiful work and her courage in refusing to be infected by hatred and violence, in continuing to believe in coexistence despite everything, in speaking out in favor of reconciliation—it is our honor as a jury to name her for precisely this great artistic and human achievement.”

Jury Statement

Friends of Fearness explores how fear shapes personal identity, political resistance, and human connection. The project presents a psychological-political novel set between Jerusalem and the U.S., tracing the intertwined lives of three friends—Jalil, Ozil, and Justin—as they navigate exile, memory, and trauma.

Through lyrical storytelling, the project invites readers to reflect on the invisible scars left by occupation and displacement. The installation includes excerpts from the novel alongside evocative visuals that blend realism and symbolism. Set against the cultural and socio-political backdrop of Palestine, Friends of Fearness offers a deep narrative of survival, belonging, and the cost of silence.

Credits

Friends of Fearness
A novel by Marwa Abu Raida
Written and developed by the author during the war, Friends of Fearness explores themes of identity, friendship, and psychological resilience amidst displacement and uncertainty.
Cover illustration generated using AI tools under the creative direction of the author.
All characters and events are fictional.
© Marwa Abu Raida. All rights reserved.

The presentation of the work is funded by State of the ART(ist), a collaboration between the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ars Electronica.