Gaza Writers' Texts and Cultural Independence Highlighted at Jenin's Al-Hakawati Theater
Translated & summarized from Al-Shams by baba
Jenin's Freedom Theater will host two cultural events on Thursday, October 15. A documentary, "The Last Front," will screen followed by a discussion on cultural independence and funding. Later, "The Palestinians Are Your Eyes" will feature readings from Gaza writers' texts, part of an international initiative. The date marks the anniversary of a young actor's death in Gaza in 2023.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Two cultural events, including a documentary screening and readings from Gaza writers, will be held at Jenin's Freedom Theater on October 15.
- The documentary "The Last Front" explores the impact of conditional international funding on Palestinian cultural institutions.
- The "The Palestinians Are Your Eyes" event aims to share the experiences of writers from Gaza with a global audience.
- The date of the events, October 15, commemorates the anniversary of a young actor's death in Gaza in 2023.
- Both events are free and aim to foster discussion on Palestinian cultural independence and amplify Gazan voices.
Two cultural events are scheduled for Thursday, October 15, at the Freedom Theater in Jenin, Palestine. The first event, beginning at 4:30 PM, features the screening of the 15-minute documentary "The Last Front" by Palestinian journalist and filmmaker Basem Huseibeh. The film, presented in Arabic with English subtitles, will be followed by an open discussion on the independence of cultural institutions, conditional funding, and the relationship between culture, authority, and decision-making. It examines the impact of international funding conditions, from U.S. anti-terrorism stipulations introduced in 2002 to European grant requirements related to sanctions lists since 2019, questioning their effect on program content and institutional autonomy. The film was produced as part of an initiative to promote independent journalism in Palestine, supported by the European Fund for Democracy.
At 5:00 PM, the theater will host "The Palestinians Are Your Eyes," an event featuring readings and artistic performances inspired by texts from writers in Gaza. This initiative, launched by the Italian-Palestinian Anqaa Theater Company, aims to share the voices and human experiences of Gazan writers with a wider global audience. The event includes six unpublished texts and is part of an international effort involving theaters and cultural organizations worldwide. The choice of October 15 commemorates the death of young actor Ibrahim Saydam, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Gaza on that date in 2023, according to the Anqaa Theater Company's website. The readings will be directed by Momen Al-Saadi and involve the Palestine Circus and Al-Kamandjati Institution. Both events are free and open to the public, aiming to foster discussion on Palestinian cultural independence and amplify the voices of Gaza's writers.