4^th Festival for Palestine Cultural Days organized by Tiro Association for Arts, Lebanese National Theater, and Istanbouli Théâtre was held in Tyre, Lebanon. Many artists received awards as part of the festival. The festival honors Najwa Najjar and Leila Khaled while the theatre play named, “Freedom Tunnel” got credits by the audiences.

CAROLINE BAZZI

Beirut – 4^th Festival for Palestine Cultural Days organized by Tiro Association for Arts, Lebanese National Theater, and Istanbouli Théâtre was held in Tyre, Lebanon. On the first day of the festival, a theater group called “AlKuffiyeh Group” from the Ein El Hilweh Refugee Camp displayed their performance. The theatre play performed by the group tells the story of a Palestinian woman and her 12 children and grandchildren, whose house were destroyed several times by Israeli forces.

Festival engages young people in arts and culture

We spoke to Bahia Zayat, the head of the Tiro Association for Arts about the festival. “The festival honors activist Leila Khaled, film writer/director Najwa Najjar, Palestinian actor and film director Mohammad Bakri, Palestinian filmmaker, writer, and producer Annemarie Jacir and the Freedom Theatre in the Jenin Refugee Camp, co-founded by prisoner Zakaria Zubeidi. The festival engages young people in arts and culture more.”

“This festival is important for us”

The Edward Said National Conservatory also participated in the festival. The conservatory ensembles that participated in the events included the Alqanunjieh Ensemble, Gilan Ensemble, and the Gaza Orchestra. ESNCM general director Suhail Khoury held a virtually transmitted speech, stressing the steadfastness of Jerusalemites and the importance of this festival for Palestinians. Amal Ibrahim, a social worker at the Beit Atfal Assumoud (BAS) from Burj al-Shamali Palestinian Refugee Camp, told us that a musical group consisting of 50 children aged between nine and 18 sang national and Western songs at the festival. “Our participation in the festival was important for us. Because the main purpose of the musical group is to develop a sense of patriotism and revive the Palestinian heritage culture.”