Dounia and the Princess of Aleppo

Dounia is a six-year-old living in Aleppo when the city is torn apart by the civil war. Her mother dies and her father is arrested, leaving her in the care of her paternal grandparents, Darwich and Téta Mouné. Their home is bombed, and the family is forced to confront an uncertain future as the conflict worsens.

With their neighborhood devastated, the family and a close circle of neighbors decide to escape toward Turkey. They join Dounia's paternal grandparents on a perilous journey, accompanied by Georgette Darbouss, her daughter Lina, the spice seller Abdo, his wife Nisrine, and their baby Shams. The group clings to hope as plans to reach safety begin to take shape.

Ayn and Chand, ancient, sentient statues, secretly begin to accompany the refugees and offer hidden guidance. Dounia clings to keepsakes—the bird-shaped toy and baraka seeds—that will awaken magical aid later. Their presence foreshadows how belief and imagination will help them survive.

Near the Syria-Turkey border, Dounia uses one of her seeds to summon Ishtar, the goddess of protection. Ishtar conjures a temporary forest that provides cover, allowing the caravan to slip past border patrols undetected. The moment marks a turning point where magic and courage intersect in their escape.

Arriving in İzmir, the group meets a smuggler who will ferry them across the Aegean toward Greece. When a fierce storm threatens the raft, Dounia again turns to her seeds and summons Leila, an ancient princess of Aleppo, whose presence calms the seas and ensures safe passage. The moment blends danger with a miraculous calm.

The refugees push toward a camp near the Macedonian border, where hunger and cold test their resolve. The border remains closed, yet Dounia’s seed-spawned magic creates a big dance number and magical display that distracts officials and helps them slip into Europe. The scene underscores how art and belief sustain them amid hardship.

As quotas separate them from some traveling companions, the family finds themselves in Budapest, Hungary, waiting at a train station for a chance to continue. The tense delays and uncertain future test their endurance. Dounia uses the downtime to write a heartfelt letter to her future home.

Following the advice of Ayn and Chand, Dounia feeds her toy bird a seed, turning it into a real bird that carries their letter across borders. The magical flight arcs through countries and continents toward Canada. The moment embodies their longing for reunion and a new beginning.

The bird reaches rural Canada and lands with a welcoming family led by Rosalie. Rosalie’s family embraces Dounia and her grandparents, helping them emigrate and settle into a new life. The move marks the beginning of safety, stability, and a future rooted in hope.

One year after arriving in Canada, Dounia writes back to her father, sharing that they are adjusting to life and missing him. She expresses hope for their eventual reunion and the possibility of rebuilding their family. The letter seals a budding sense of belonging and resilience.

Throughout the voyage, Dounia’s baraka seeds, the bird, and Ayn and Chand symbolize hope and belief amid real-world hardship. The magical elements are interwoven with survival, underscoring the theme that resilience can coexist with wonder. The family’s faith acts as a compass guiding them toward safety.

With newfound safety in Canada, the family holds onto the hope of reuniting with those left behind and forging a future together. The story closes on a note of quiet optimism, emphasizing human connections and perseverance. Dounia’s journey becomes a testament to resilience amid upheaval.