Artwork as a Weapon (Youth Towards Invasion), Half One

The Freedom Theatre, a Palestinian community-based theatre and cultural heart situated in Jenin Refugee Camp, within the northern a part of the West Financial institution, Palestine, has lengthy been the middle of cultural resistance. In September 2023, New York-based firm Al Límite Collective participated within the Freedom Theatre’s Feminist ComPetition, devising a brand new play with younger ladies from the theatre college, and skilled an invasion by Israeli armed forces whereas watching a efficiency by Salwa Nakkara. Upon their return to the USA on 7 October 2023, a wave of devastating violence started, and so they have been an energetic a part of the cultural resistance actions in solidarity with Palestinian artists.

Following a raid on the Freedom Theatre—wherein inventive director Ahmed Tobasi, producing director Mustafa Sheta, and firm member Jamal Abu Joas have been attacked and detained—Al Límite Collective joined different New York Metropolis artists on the Cultural Resistance March on 13 January 2024. At this march, members of Al Límite Collective and Palestinians of Japan carried out passages from Youth Towards Invasion, that includes the phrases of Aya Samara and Chantal Rizkalla.

On 16 March 2024, artists from these teams got here collectively to debate the work of the Freedom Theatre and its college, the creation of Youth Towards Invasion, and the efficiency of that textual content within the Cultural Resistance March. Contributors from the Freedom Theatre included the top of the Freedom Theatre Faculty, Yasmin Samir, and scholar artists Chantal Rizkalla, Aya Samara, and Naqaa Sammor. They have been joined by Leah Barchar and Monica Hunken, co-founders of Al Límite Collective, in addition to moderator Manatsu Tanaka, a dancer, actor, and artist who carried out within the Cultural Resistance March. The next is the primary installment of this dialog, which has been condensed from the preliminary HowlRound TV livestream.

In easy phrases, the Freedom Theatre exhibits how artwork can change the world and the way necessary it is to maintain preventing for what’s truthful.

Manatsu Tanaka: As a theatre individual, I have been actually holding the Freedom Theatre very near my coronary heart. So at the moment I am very honored that I actually get to see your faces and have a dialog with all of you. I am very grateful, and I’ve so many questions.

That is open to anybody: what was your first expertise with the Freedom Theatre?

Naqaa Sammor: My first efficiency within the Freedom Theatre was in Diligent Case 74. I think about theatre part of me on the all instances as a result of really I all the time looking for the reality, like theatre. I believe theatre, it is me. Chantal?

Chantal Rizkalla: I stumbled upon the Freedom Theatre whereas studying books really. Two books: Mornings in Jenin and Jenin 2002. The extra I examine it, the extra I needed to study and to be part of it. The primary time I had the chance with the Freedom Theatre was in a workshop within the college that I participates in.

Aya Samara: I additionally had a workshop earlier than becoming a member of the theatre. I all the time heard in regards to the theatre, however by no means imagined that I might be a part of it someday.

Manatsu: What does the Freedom Theatre imply to you?

Chantal: The Freedom Theatre means so much to me as a result of it is a protected house the place I can categorical myself by artwork, standing up for what I imagine in. And it exhibits how robust and decided individuals are once they use theatre to talk out in opposition to unfairness and provides a voice to those that are sometimes ignored. The theatre provides hope and exhibits that even in robust instances, we will battle for what’s proper. In easy phrases, the Freedom Theatre exhibits how artwork can change the world and the way necessary it is to maintain preventing for what’s truthful.

Manatsu: Thanks for that. The Freedom Theatre is within the Jenin refugee camp. What would you like folks to learn about Jenin?

Aya: I need them to have the ability to know that Jenin is filled with life. It is full of gorgeous issues. I like Jenin. There are many desires, a lot of tales.

Naqaa: Folks in Jenin, it is quite simple and delightful. In Jenin, it’s sensible as a result of they’re a terrorist resistors. They get up within the morning, dissipate the grief sense and troublesome roads, and proceed their life path. So folks in Jenin are very robust.

It is a vibrant group with a wealthy of heritage and resilient folks and a powerful sense of id. Regardless of the modifications they face, the folks in Jenin are inventive, resourceful, and decided to construct a greater future to themselves and their households.

Chantal: I need folks to know that it is greater than only a place related to battle and hardship. It is a vibrant group with a wealthy of heritage and resilient folks and a powerful sense of id. Regardless of the modifications they face, the folks in Jenin are inventive, resourceful, and decided to construct a greater future to themselves and their households. It is necessary for others to know the complexity of Jenin and to acknowledge the humanity and dignity of its residents past the headlines and stereotypes.

Yasmin Samir: There’s one thing that will get you hooked on this metropolis. It is unbelievable. I have been a whole lot of locations in Palestine, internationally, all of that, however there’s something about Jenin. It’s totally wealthy, as Chantal stated, a really wealthy nation with a really distinguished id to it. I believe additionally that is why we see a really, very robust line of resistance there. They do have a really particular means of resisting.

However what I discover astonishing about Jenin is that it is extremely alive and vibrant on a regular basis. Regardless of every little thing that’s taking place. 

Manatsu: Thanks. Monica, Leah, did you will have one thing you wish to add on?

Leah Bachar: Effectively, clearly Jenin is web site of assaults by the Israeli Military. In order that implies that there’s an consideration there, an power, a motion. It isn’t simply battle. That’s possibly the media’s means of summing it up, however in actuality, while you peel it aside, the most effective issues about Jenin that I like is I giggle a lot after I’m in Jenin. There’s a humor there that’s so resilient, so deep, so humorous that that is a part of this familial feeling. There’s all the time anyone ensuring you are okay: “Are you okay? Do you want to eat? Would you like a experience?” No matter it’s. You neglect in regards to the navy occupation. After which unexpectedly one thing seems, and also you proceed to work by that. And by the point you are on the opposite aspect of that, you are feeling this energy inside you.

Monica Hunken: Even in our first rehearsal that we had with the ladies there, there was capturing that occurred whereas we’re… And we simply saved dancing, saved shifting, saved speaking. There’s this massive juxtaposition, proper?