Loubna Mrie
Joanna MorrisseyLoubna Mrie is a Syrian journalist, photographer, and writer, and a frequent commentator on Syrian and Middle Eastern affairs. The recipient of fellowships and residencies from Magnum Foundation, Ucross Foundation, and MacDowell, she has published work in The Atlantic, Rolling Stone, The Nation, Time, and London Review of Books. Her new memoir is "Defiance," her story of growing up in Syria under the Assad regime.
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Communities: Middle Eastern / North African (MENA), First-generation immigrant, Diaspora / Exile, Arabic-language background,International / Global South author, Memoirist, Women of color
Friends and Sponsors Only: Hot Off the Press
Sponsors and Friends of the Festival are invited to a books launch party with authors in attendance.
Campus Store - Hot Off the Press (Seats 250, Wheelchair accessible)
Sat, Mar 14, 8:00 am - 9:00 am
Panelists:
David Blumenthal,
C.J. Box,
Elle Cosimano,
Elon Green,
Adib Khorram,
T Kira Madden,
Loubna Mrie,
Megan Kate Nelson,
Keith O'Brien,
Caroline Paul
Lessons from the Middle East
The Middle East has long been a cauldron of conflict and differing perspectives. Learn how multiple administrations addressed it, and the personal toll of those decisions. What was it like to experience a hijacking? How did a member of the Syrian elite become an activist during the Arab Spring?
Student Union Gallagher Theater (Seats 337)
Sat, Mar 14, 11:30 am - 12:25 pm
Current Issues / Politics / Social Science
Signing area: UA Campus Store Book Sales (Mall) (following presentation)
Panelists:
Loubna Mrie,
Mimi Nichter,
Daniel Zoughbie
Moderator: Bruce Wright
Sponsors: Session made possible courtesy of Beach Fleischman, Harry and Ann McGovern
Activism in Action
What becomes possible when wealth is given away? How do brave souls fight the forces that act with disregard for our earth and its residents? How can we take action to oppose negative forces? Three authors explore bold action, persistent hope and the power of ordinary citizens to make meaningful change.
Student Union Santa Rita (Seats 110)
Sat, Mar 14, 2:30 pm - 3:25 pm
Current Issues / Politics / Social Science
Signing area: UA Campus Store Book Sales (Mall) (following presentation)
Panelists:
David Gelles,
Loubna Mrie,
Alan Weisman
Moderator: Phineas Anderson
Sponsors: Session made possible courtesy of Joi and Bianca Bowen, Roberta and Bill Witchger, Carolyn W. Pope
When Truth Is Dangerous: Stories of Defiance
Books by Loubna Mrie pull readers inside acts of courage that defy silence. Blending history, journalism and lived experience, she will discuss the high stakes of truth-telling and the personal bravery required to speak when power insists on quiet.
Koffler Room 216 (Seats 89, Wheelchair accessible)
Sun, Mar 15, 1:00 pm - 1:55 pm
Multigenre
Signing area: Sales & Signing Koffler/Commons (following presentation)
Panelist:
Loubna Mrie
Moderator: Nick Droege
Sponsors: Session made possible courtesy of Research Corporation for Science Advancement, Sundt Construction, Inc., William Banks and Cheryl Ficarra
Book:
Defiance
A Memoir of Awakening, Rebellion, and Survival in Syria
Memoir / Essays / Creative Nonfiction
Penguin Group
February 2026
ISBN 9781984880000
432 pages
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