Thiruvananthapuram: Iraqi writer Shahad Al Rawi celebrated her birthday at the venue of Mathrubhumi International Festival of Letters (MBIFL’19). She was attending the book reading session along with writers Francesca Melandri, Joumana Haddad and Vineetha Mokkil at the Poetree venue of the festival being held at Kanakakkunnu here on Friday.

After the book reading, the audience surrounded Shahad Al Rawi for getting the signed copies of her book ‘Baghdad Clock’. During the informal conversation with the readers, she revealed that it was her birthday. On knowing the same, one of the readers who arrived at the venue gifted her a book and others started singing birthday song to her.

The writer turned emotional watching the people of a different place wishing her on her birthday and also told that Kerala readers are the best she has ever seen. The book reading session surprisingly turned into a simple birthday party at short notice. The author thanked everyone for the love before returning from the venue.