This is heart-wrenching story of Syrian refugee families, whose lives discombobulated from one second to another. Nuri is a beekeeper in Aleppo, is married to Afra, an artist and they live a peaceful life surrounded by family and friends. However, this comes to an end when their mere existence is shattered by the Syrian civil war, destroying their home, livelihood and emotional life. Afra is witness of the death of their son, Sami, which leaves her blind. This is not the effect of shrapnel or other projectile, but the shutting down of her visual system due to the trauma of seeing her son die and the tragedy of the war.
Despite the danger and uncertainty of their existence in the war ridden Syria, they decide to leave the country and call in the aid of smugglers who will take them on a perilous trip to Europe. Nuri’s cousin Mustafa, who fled Syria before, has established himself in the UK and wills Nuri and Afra to join him. Mustafa has adopted bees in the UK and cannot wait for Nuri to join him in expanding the business, so they can not only harvest and sell honey, but also products such as soap, lotion etc. just like they did in Aleppo.
Nuri’s bees, a buzzing symbol of his past and hope for the future, ultimately inspire him to start this perilous journey over sea and by road.
Afra has become very distant, grief-stricken and Nuri longs for reconnection with his wife as he had once known her.
Their story is one of resilience and gives the reader a close look at the physical and emotional hardships of any refugee, going beyond the 30 second reviews we see on international news items.
Sherida Nabi
