Zoulfa Katouh is a young, Calgary-born author who remains deeply connected to her Syrian culture. She began writing her debut novel, As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow, back in 2017 at the age of 22. Her work explores themes of identity, migration, female strength, and inner freedom. Today, she is a highly popular author and influencer among young people. In this article on calgarynka, we’ll explore her journey and her creative work.
Her Story
Zoulfa Katouh was born in Calgary in 1994. Her name translates from Arabic as “close to God.” She practices Islam and speaks openly about Muslim culture. Zoulfa is fluent in English, Arabic, and German, and dreams of learning French and Korean. Zoulfa earned a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy and a master’s degree in pharmaceutical sciences. She never imagined she would one day write a book, but writing became her true passion. Alongside her literary career, Zoulfa works as a pharmacist and draws inspiration for her stories from the medical field. When the 9/11 terrorist attacks occurred in 2001, Zoulfa was only six years old. Her parents began to worry about her and her future. As a result, the family decided to move to the United Arab Emirates. Zoulfa later moved to Switzerland.
Zoulfa Katouh on Her Identity
Zoulfa Katouh is deeply proud of her Arab heritage. She often speaks about Arab achievements: noting that they invented mathematics, wrote The Canon of Medicine, and knew the Earth was round and revolved around the Sun long before Galileo did. She says that Arabs always choose life over death and fight against injustice. For Katouh, this shared Arab experience is a vital part of her identity. She often points out that Arab authors are largely underrepresented in the modern world. This sense of invisibility also became a major motivation for her to start writing.
“As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow”
As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow is Zoulfa Katouh’s debut novel. The story follows Salama, who lives in Syria and saves lives in a hospital. She is also desperate to find a way to a safer future for the sake of her pregnant best friend, Layla. Salama is torn between her loyalty to her country and her desire for a peaceful life. The novel is filled with moving scenes and unexpected twists that prompt deep reflection. It is a beautifully written work that introduces readers to the terrifying realities of life in Syria. This is a story of resilience, loyalty, and courage set against the backdrop of war. The book was published in 2022 in the United States and the United Kingdom. In 2023, the novel was a finalist for the Governor General’s Literary Award and won the Amy Mathers Teen Book Award. As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow has been translated into 23 languages. Katouh was inspired to write the book when her peers in Canada asked her about her homeland. She originally planned the novel to be strictly for young adults, but the author soon realized it had crossed age boundaries. The story has resonated with readers of all ages around the world. It took the author one year to write the first draft. She then rewrote it four more times before publication. Katouh shared that she cried and laughed a lot throughout the process, experiencing the full spectrum of emotions that she successfully managed to convey in the novel. Katouh is continuing to write. She is currently working on two new books: a young adult novel and an adult comedy. Zoulfa Katouh is a true example of how personal history and talent can create a powerful literary voice. Her novel has introduced readers worldwide to the specifics of Syrian culture and the power of humanity.