Following the success of last year’s Ramadan events, we organised and hosted some performances, musical shows and film screenings for children, youth and adults in Jenin. As the end of the holy month of Ramadan now approaches, we look back at these cultural events. To get an impression of last weeks’ activities at The Freedom Theatre, read the short summary below!
Music for all!
We started the events on the 24th of May, in collaboration with the Watar Conservatory of Music from Jenin. Students of the conservatory performed for their family and friends in Jenin. Either with an ensemble, orchestra, choir or as a solist, they performed a mix of classical and modern music. The family event saw a full house and was preceded by an iftaar meal, organised by the conservatory.
A whole different kind of musical event took place on the 7th of June; renowned rappers from Palestine and Jordan came to our theatre to perform and the audience went wild! Psychedelic, Shi3rap and Synaptik rapped the stage away and they were accompanied by Adi Khalefa, the comedian who kept everyone laughing.
Last Saturday, 9th of June, yet another type of musical event was enjoyed at The Freedom Theatre. The students of Al-Kamandjati, led by Iyad Stiti and in cooperation with famous Palestinian singer Oday Al-Khatib, treated the audience to a beautiful mix of Oriental and Arabic songs.
Performance of And Here I Am
Of course, being a theatre, a performance cannot be missed as part of our cultural events during Ramadan. Ahmed Tobasi once again used his never-ending energy to perform his one man show to a full house in Jenin camp. Only just returning from his international tour, which took him to Norway and Zimbabwe, and about to complete his West Bank Tour, we were happy to have the great show once more. The show was produced by Developing Artists, written by Iraqi Hassan Abdulrazzak and directed by British Zoe Lafferty.
Film screenings for children
Three Tuesdays in a row we screened a film for the children of Jenin and Jenin refugee camp. To allow everyone to come, the entrance for the screening was free. Every Tuesday at 5 pm, a little over twenty children came to our theatre, enthusiastic to see a new film. The Cinema Club during Ramadan featured the animated movie Bilal: A New Breed of Hero, based on the age-old biography of Bilal ibn Rabah, who fought his way out of slavery and made his dreams come true. The following Tuesday featured the Japanese anime classic Grave of the Fireflies and the last movie was Stretch Armstrong: The Breakout. We regard the regular screening of movies as an important cultural activity for children and youth in Jenin, knowing that the cinema of Jenin closed last year and to ensure everyone has access to film screenings on a regular basis.
Last but not least, The Freedom Theatre Family wishes you all a happy and joyful Eid al-Fitr – Eid Mubarak! We are looking forward to seeing you at one of our activities after Eid. Please note the theatre will be closed for Eid celebrations from Thursday 14th – Monday 18th June.
