Welcome to LiLi: Where Books Cross Borders
When I arrived in Italy in 2021, I packed my entire life into two suitcases. Among my essentials was a single book: The Druze of Belgrade by Rabih Jaber.
Soon after, I began searching for my next read in Arabic. It did not take me long to discover that the books in Arabic I wanted were not available. At that moment, I realized I had left behind the only thing I truly could not find in Italy: my books in my mother tongue.
When I met the man who would later become my husband, I asked him where I could find Arabic literature here. We searched together, only to find a handful of titles scattered across the country. I remember the summer of 2023, visiting Lebanon together; half of my luggage was weighed down with books: old favorites from my shelves and new treasures from my favorite bookstore.
My husband looked at me and said: “One day, we will start a shop that makes books in their original languages available for everyone in Italy.”
Our Vision: Libri Liberi
That day has arrived. We decided it was time to bring our favorite authors and most cherished stories to your doorstep.
- We believe that books are the bridge through which cultural exchange truly flourishes.
- We believe that a foreigner can better understand Italian culture by reading Italian masters in Arabic.
- We believe that Italians can truly know their neighbors by reading Arabic authors in Italian.
- We believe that by making books available in their original languages, we protect the right of every person to value their heritage and share it with the world.
- We believe that books are tools through which borders dissolve and walls crumble.
- We believe that stories should be free to cross borders regardless of restrictions.
This is why we named our project “LiLi”, short for Libri Liberi, or "Free Books."
More Than Just a Shop
LiLi is not just another e-commerce site; it is a community. We want to hear about your culture through the authors you love. We want to change the way you discover your next favorite story through our custom-made book review system.
Join our journey today. Explore our first collection here, and find the story that brings you home.
P.S. We also started LiLi so that the next time you visit home, you can save that extra space in your suitcase for food. We will take care of the books!
