Becoming Palestinian

Image by Dasha Chernysheva.

During the last assembly of the Arts Collaboratory network, the grave situation in the Palestinian territory resulting from the violent escalation of a long-lived extermination policy, was one of the cross-cutting themes. The absence of representatives from Al Ma’mal and Riwaq – Centre for Architectural Conservation, the two organizations in the network that operate from the Palestinian territory, made it imperative to reflect on this issue.

Understanding the power and responsibility that cultural work demands from us, we dedicated a session given by the Palestinian architect, artist and cultural manager, Yazan Khalili, to learn from the history that contextualizes the series of violent events that the Palestinian people face today at the hands of the state of Israel and to understand the different positions and edges of the mass large-scale aggression.

Left on the table from this session were powerful concepts such as understanding the sharing of knowledge as an action of solidarity; but above all the responsibility we have to speak, to make known the stories of what happens in Palestinian territory and make visible the series of injustices that happen with the encouragement and culpability of the world powers, to the detriment of human rights and therefore of life on this planet.

In an attempt to answer what more we can do from our own practices, contexts and networks, the initiative to create this special edition of More of Us arose to explicitly express our solidarity with Palestine.

With the conviction that solidarity arises from everyday practice, from what we sometimes think of as small, overcoming not always knowing what can be done and even the fear of doing or saying something, we hold on to the power of symbolic acts, of the force that is ignited when we read each other, listen to each other and generate conversations and share knowledge.

In the words of Yazan Khalili, “to become Palestinian” is to become human beings and for this it is necessary to activate processes that allow us to know, to understand, to act and to take a position.

Cover photo: Writing with light in Hebron (occupied West Bank, 2018).

Stories fly far and wide

by: Sari Dennise

In 2018, when the Arts Collaboratory Ecosystem held its general assembly in Palestine, Lebanon and Jordan, a group of us from the network were guided by the generosity of our Palestinian family. During a series of tours and encounters, we heard their stories, memories and experiences. One of the activities carried out, a walk through Jerusalem, still resonates with me years later for its ability and sensitivity to show the diverse narratives that coexist in that small territory.

South Africa to Palestine

by: South Africa to Palestine

These pro-Palestinian illustrations curated by Mr Makonga were created by South African artists as part of the country’s ongoing protests to ‘hold Israel accountable‘. The artists have lent their skills and voices towards the message of solidarity, which in turn has helped push the South African public’s firm stance against the atrocities witnessed in the … South Africa to Palestine

Contributions from Gudskul Ekosistem

by: Gudskul Ekosistem

Gudskul Ekosistem houses a multitude of practitioners and collectives with differing practices and artistic mediums. Marishka Soekarna @drawmama, Wiratama @wirtams, and Sumantri Gelar @smtglr working through comical visual elements and playful aesthetics, employ satire to critique the political and social dynamics at play in the Palestinian context, and calling for an end to the violence … Contributions from Gudskul Ekosistem

Za’atar and oil

by: Paula Piedra

Paula Piedra in conversation with Zuhra Sasa Illustrations by Viviana Zúñiga Ramírez, Translation revised by M. Paola Malavasi L. At 5:00 p.m. on Monday, December 4, 2023, Zuhra opened the door to her apartment in Los Yoses, San José (Costa Rica). While she finished talking to a student via video call, Jengibre and Cúrcuma, a … Za’atar and oil

Mixed emotions and feelings

by: Osneyder Valoy Palacio

While all this is going on
I am sure that
we will be able
to be more human

Border Negotiations

by: Paula Piedra

Notes on a trip from June 19 to July 3, 2018 to Jerusalem, Palestine (West Bank) and Amman, Jordan, narrating a series of experiences across borders −whether geopolitical, mental, emotional, individual, collective, religious, artistic, or relating to language and identity.

Waves for Peace

by: Radio Tropiezo

African Artists Against Apartheid. Poems and Other Works

by: African Artists Against Apartheid Poetry Group

Words to Stop a Genocide Thandi Gamedze I wish poetry could end the pain I’m trying to come up with the exact configuration of words able to terminate a genocide Like in the movies when everything hangs on figuring out the correct combination to open up the safe I am listening intently for the clicks … African Artists Against Apartheid. Poems and Other Works