Photo Exhibition: 33 years of Occupation and Apartheid
Mia Grondahl is a swedish journalist and photographer
who has been covering the Middle East for years, working for the press,
radio, and TV. When the "Peace agreement' was signed in 1993, she made
frequent visits to the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, deepening her understanding
of Palestine, the people, and their land. As a result, she is now based
in East Jerusalem since 1996. The photo exhibition is being shown throughout
Sweden and Palestine. The exhibition is touring major Palestinian cities
under the auspices of the Consulate General of Sweden in East Jerusalem.
Film: The 14th Chick
This is the second feature film made by the
Palestinian filmmaker, Hani Abu Assad. It is a light romantic comedy that
verges on the absurd, about a young couple who lose their way to a wedding
party. The film was produced in the Netherlands in 1998 and it premiered
at the opening of the Netherlands Film Festival. 35 mm. Dutch with English
subtitles, 90 minutes. Ramallah, Thursday 22 July 20:00. (Location still
not specified).
Art Exhibit: Nine Works
This is the first Ramallah solo exhibit by
conceptual artist Khalil Rabah who has widely exhibited in Europe and Jerusalem.
The exhibit consists of multi media and installation works, and is unlike
anything you may have seen before. Ramallah, Saturday 17 July 18:00, Khalil
Sakakini Center.
Dance Performance: Hannouneh Folkloric Dance Troupe (Jordan)
Al Hannouneh is a Palestinian folkloric dance
troupe established in Jordan a few years ago. Its roots go back to a folkloric
dance group that was well known amongst the Palestinian community in Kuwait,
but was dispersed following the Gulf war. They came back together in Amman
and quickly regained their prominent position as a leading Palestinian
folkloric dance group. Their repertoire contains a true-to-life depiction
of Palestinian folklore and heritage in dance and music, performed by their
50+ members of all ages, from 5 - 55 years. Ramallah, Thursday 29 July
20:30, Teachers' Training College, Ramallah Festival for Culture and Arts.
Conert: Hakeem (Egypt)
The Arab pop star, Hakeem, added a new flavor
to Arab pop songs using street lingo to express the feelings and impressions
and sensitivities of the average person on the street and the young generation
in the Arab world. His music combines flamenco elements with the traditional
Arab sounds, a combination which has brought him following even from outside
the Arab world. Ramallah, Saturday 31 July 20:30, Teachers' Training College,
Ramallah Festival for Culture and Arts.
Concert: Ahlam (United Arab Emirates)
A leading female voice from the United Arab
Emirates, Ahlam is the only Gulf artist who fought for the case of female
singing in the Gulf by performing on stage and challenging all rumors and
traditions that are dissatisfied with the liberation of women in the Arab
Gulf. The Arab public nominated her as the best Arab pop artist for the
year 1997, only two years after she began performing and recording. Ramallah,
Friday 30 July 20:30, Teachers' Training College, Ramallah Festival for
Culture and Arts.
Dance Performance: The Ramallah First Group - Maraseena
(Palestine)
This dance group was first established in
the early sixties in Ramallah, coinciding with the beginnings of the Ramallah
Festival for Culture and Arts in the years 1963 - 1966. It was discontinued
following the 1967 war, and then re-established in 1985. The group's first
performances reflected a commitment to Palestinian folklore and heritage.
In later years, however, the artistic direction of the group moved towards
a more contemporary and modernist approach to dance and music. Their repertoire
for 1999 consists of a number of newly choreographed dances to Palestinian
and world music pieces where they experiment with a new relationship with
traditional movements, and attempt to create a new feeling between the
dancers and their space. Ramallah, Thursday 29 July 20:30, Teachers' Training
College, Ramallah Festival for Culture and Arts.