Born Suheil Fadel in 1946 in Damascus, the author now known as Rafik Schami bridges cultural divides through a prolific body of work written in German and Arabic. After leaving Syria in 1970 to evade state censorship and military conscription, he settled in Germany, where he transitioned from a career in chemistry to full-time authorship in 1982.
Early Life and Academic Path
Raised in a Christian Aramean family with roots in Maaloula, Schami attended a monastery boarding school in Lebanon before pursuing studies in chemistry, mathematics, and physics at Damascus University. Between 1964 and 1970, he edited the wall news-sheet Al-Muntalak in the old quarter of Damascus. Following his move to Germany, he resumed his scientific studies and successfully earned a doctorate in 1979.
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Schami emerged as a significant figure in German migrant literature, co-founding the literary group Südwind in 1980 and participating in the PoLiKunst movement. His writing integrates Arabic oral storytelling traditions with German narrative forms. Rather than focusing solely on the difficulties faced by guest-workers, his books promote cultural diversity and tolerance. His narratives often explore life in the Arab world, frequently setting stories in Damascus or Maaloula to challenge Western perceptions.
Selected Works and Political Critique
His notable work, Een handvol sterren, serves as a prime example of his autobiographical approach, following a youth in Damascus through various social conflicts and political awakenings. Schami frequently critiques censorship and government corruption while remaining wary of demands for cultural assimilation. In stories like those found in Der Fliegenmelker or Das Letzte Wort der Wanderratte, he addresses themes of injustice and the importance of multicultural co-existence.
Fast facts
- Born: 1946, Damascus
- Original name: Suheil Fadel
- Academic degree: Doctorate in Chemistry
- Full-time author since: 1982
- Languages: German and Arabic
- Notable work: Een handvol sterren
- Citizenship: Germany and Syria
- Carl Zuckmayer Medal awarded: 2022
Questions readers ask
Why did Rafik Schami leave Syria?
He left in 1970 to avoid military service and state censorship.
What is the focus of his literary style?
His work integrates Arabic oral storytelling traditions with German literature to explore themes of cultural diversity, politics, and the experience of living between two worlds.
Achievements
- Adelbert von Chamisso Prize — 1993
- Nelly Sachs Prize — 2007
- Weilheim Literature Prize — 2003
- Notable work: Een handvol sterren