The first leg of the West Bank tour of Return to Palestine has been a tremendous success! Close to 2000 youths and adults in villages, towns and refugee camps from Hebron in the south to Al Yamoun in the north saw the play. For many, it was their first theatre experience. The response was overwhelmingly positive, with requests of more performances and workshops in all sixteen locations, giving ample proof that the need for cultural experiences is immense in occupied Palestine.
“This show changed my mind: the stories that you tell and doing everything in a small space gave me hope that we can liberate Palestine through theatre and art. I will tell all my friends, I will continue to defend our cause, thank you, thank you.” Rima, audience member in Jericho
“This work is amazing, very detailed, in it you have all different kind of feelings: the play makes you smile, laugh, cry, think, imagine.” Anas, audience member in Ramallah
“I can’t thank you more for what you have done for us. This performance was amazing: it was very emotional but also very important.” Father of Malek (martyr who is featured in the play), Dheisheh refugee camp
Return to Palestine is based on real-life accounts by community members across the occupied West Bank, gathered through interactive playback theatre performances and devised into a play by Micaela Miranda and the ensemble of graduates of The Freedom Theatre School. Return to Palestine is a versatile play where the actors use their bodies to create the physical and emotional spaces they live in on a very small stage – as small as Palestine. Read more about the play.
The tour of Return to Palestine continues in March and April, with performances at Al Quds University in Abu Dis, the Arab American University in Jenin and at The Freedom Theatre.
With your help we can continue to make art where art is most needed, extending our reach to even more people in Palestine! Support us with a donation of your choice.
Some of the images above are courtesy of Al Rowwad Cultural and Arts Society.