SULLE ONDE DELLA LIBERTÀ / ON FREEDOM'S WAVES

A beautiful story of friendship and surf, of courage and freedom, set in Gaza City.

Summer 2003. 11-year-old Mahmud and Samir live in Gaza City, a place hit every day by bombings. They could not be more different, but they share a great passion: surfing. As soon as they can, they run to the sea to wait for a wave to ride, for that suspended moment in which to feel free: it's their way to escape, if only for a moment, from the hardships of war. The two boys meet often on the beach, but they look at each other from a distance with curiosity mixed with suspicion: one is Palestinian, the other Israeli, and their families do not even want them to speak to each other. But an encounter with Bill, a surfing coach, will change everything. Because in surfing, as in friendship, there are no barriers... Inspired by the true story of surf icon Dorian "Doc" Paskowitz, who went from California to Gaza in 2007, to deliver surfboards to the small surfing community there, giving life to the "Surfing for peace" project. A story that is now more relevant than ever, inspired by true events, tackling subjects that are intimate - the very relatable, if unlikely friendship between two 11-year old boys who share a common passion for sport and discover common thoughts and at the same time collective (war, freedom, peace). Nicoletta Bortolotti is the author of highly acclaimed middle grade novels. She has been working for many years in the world of publishing as an author, editor and ghost writer, for both children's and adult's books. Historical themes recur in her novels for young readers and remarkable characters of civic value, for which the author has received several awards, such as Gigante della Langhe and Premio Cento (for her book In piedi nella neve, Edizioni EL). Sulle onde della libertà, the novel which inspired the movie I bambini di Gaza, was shortlisted for Premio Bancarellino and won the Comoinrosa competition. Her adult novel Un giorno e una donna (Harper Collins) was nominated for Premio Strega 2023.