New book

Omar Khir Alanam: “Love unites us all”

Omar Khir Alanam

(Bild: Christian Jauschowetz)

Omar Khir Alanam has returned to writing after his appearance on "Dancing Stars". "Gspusis, Gspür und wilde Gschichten" is all about love and sex between Austria and Syria - and it's a deep dive!

From the dance floor back to the computer: Omar Khir Alanam may be a jack-of-all-trades, but with his new book he is once again staying true to his writing. It is the fourth book he has dedicated to the differences and similarities between his old homeland Syria and his new homeland Austria.

This time, he has chosen a particularly intimate topic: "Gspusis, Gspür und wilde Gschichten" is the title of the new book, which has been published by edition a. "I couldn't say it before," says Khir Alanam in an interview with Krone. "I always said 'Ge-spusi'." The first time he encountered this typical Austrian form of relationship was when a woman referred to herself as his Gspusi. "It can be anything and doesn't have to be anything," he summarizes enthusiastically.

It's complicated
Currently, the relationship status of the father of a son is "in a phase of self-discovery" - reason enough to indulge in old loves. Khir Alanam talks about first dates in Syria, where even holding hands triggered great feelings, to online dating and attempts to approach women in Austria. There are virtually no taboos.

I hope I don't shock the Austrians too much with my openness. I am aware that I shock Arabs when I talk about sex, masturbation, pornography and one-night stands.

Zitat aus „Gspusis, Gspür und wilde Gschichten“ 

Of course, the cultural differences are huge - aren't they? As is so often the case, the author shatters prejudices on both sides. The "sinful" image he was presented with by the West in his youth in Syria ("People have sex on the street") proves to be just as false as the idea that Arabs are only conservative and prudish. "Love unites us all," he says. "No matter where I've been, it's on the minds of everyone I talk to. Everyone wants to love and be loved."

"Gspusis, Gspür und wilde Gschichten" was published by edition a at the beginning of March (22 euros, 218 pages)

(Bild: edition a)

Khir Alanam tackles highly political topics such as gender roles with humor and without pointing a finger. "I don't want to lecture, I want to inspire." He wanted to talk about the topic precisely because it carries shame and guilt. "It makes me vulnerable" - in both senses of the word.