Drawings of Imagination
by Jomana Zaqout
Genre: Poetry
Written by Jomana Zaqout and narrated by Julia Sawalha
This audio Copyright ©2025 by Jomana Zaqout
Part of the GAZA: heard series of poems, written by inhabitants of Gaza, read by acting talents from stage and screen
'In Gaza' is part of a series of poems created by students living in Gaza. Written by Jomana Zaqout and read by Julia Sawalha, 'Drawings of Imagination' shows the contrasts of life in Gaza before and after the war.
With special thanks to the Qattan Foundation, a charity operating in Gaza, for connecting us with some of the most talented creatives among us.
about the author
Jomana Zaqout is from Gaza City and has found expression through her poetry:
“I started writing poetry when this cruel war began, because I needed a way to formulate my hard times. Poetry was a way to speak my tears, sighs, screams and cries. My inspiration for writing is the urge to deliver the truth, our reality, to the world.”
Already published here in audio form, as well as in print with Al-Qattan, Jomana has dreams of becoming a famous poet and having her words translated into different languages across the world. But more than that, Jomana hopes to makes Palestinian voices audible to the rest of the world.
“I hope to return my people’s rights, by the power of the word and the poem.”
about the narrator
Julia Sawalha is an English actress of Jordanian descent. She is the daughter of actor Nadim Sawalha.
Julia is known for her roles in the hit comedy series Absolutely Fabulous, as well as the BBC adaptation of Jane Austen's Pride And Prejudice. Her early roles include Lynda Day in Press Gang and Hannah Greyshott in Second Thoughts and its successful spinoff, Faith in the Future.
Julia's film credits include Buddy's Song, The Wind in the Willows, In The Bleak Midwinter, Chicken Run, and Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie.
You can find Julia on Instagram at @missjuliasawalha