The book “The Fighter - The Story of the Italian Who Defended Kobanê Against ISIS”, written by Italian revolutionary Karim Franceschi who was in the Kobanê defense, has been published in Turkish by Ceylan Publishing under the title “Heval Marcello”.

Karim Franceschi has returned to Rojava after a short break, and continues his fight against ISIS where he left off.

Italian revolutionary Karim Franceschi spoke to the ANF on why he wrote “Heval Marcello” and about his experiences.

Antifascist Internationalist Battalion commander Franceschi says: “I don’t have plans to go back to Italy for now. First comes the liberation of Raqqa, then we’ll see.” Franceschi says his responsibilities in Rojava have increased even more, and adds: “Internationalists from all over the world apply to join us.”

“THIS IS WHERE I NEED TO BE”

We ask him why he returned to Rojava, and Franceschi says: “There is no other place I need to be but here. There is no other place to live or die but here. The only important thing is to be here. The feelings that brought me to Kobanê before made me return, the feelings are the same. What is different is my level of perception and the maturity I have gained as a revolutionary. I believe the Rojava revolution means hope, the hope for a better world.”

“I HAD THE CHANCE TO TALK ABOUT THE KOBANÊ DEFENSE”

Karim Franceschi states that he is not a writer, and says the following on his book that is wildly popular in Italy:

“During the war, I met many comrades in Kobanê. Then some of the comrades fell martyr. The idea to put their struggle, their actions, their behavior, their dreams on record made me write this book. I wanted the young Italians to know of, to learn about this resistance.

I wanted to tell the Italian youth of the dream that made a handful of men and women resist a ruthless enemy like ISIS.

Yes, the book was met with great interest after it was published. It entered best seller lists quickly. I had the chance to meet the young people face to face in many events we held in dozens of high schools. In a very short while, I found the chance to talk about the valor of Kobanê’s heroes in activities held by the most valuable names in the country’s literature and journalism scenes. I never thought I could speak of these things.”

Franceschi says he is glad that the Turkish edition is titled “Heval Marcello” and adds: “Heval is the most beautiful word I have heard. It would translate into Italian as ‘compagno’, the person you share your bread with. In Kurdish, it is the person you share your life, your fate with.”