Stories fly far and wide
by: Sari Dennise
Free Palestine
—Which Jerusalem are we talking about? —The ancient city? —Jerusalem before or after 1947? 1948? 1967? 1980? Who drew these borders? Who has the power of enunciation? How is it being used and for what purpose?
During the assembly, we witness how the attacks on Palestinian existence, while very explicitly military, full of soldiers, weapons and walls; are also subtle and intimate. The narratives, meanings and memories are also being bombarded, assaulted, they are also victims of forced disappearance. —What can we Palestinians do but tell stories? Stories fly far and wide, they may live on.
This series grew out of curiosity and respect, out of a desire to listen to Palestinians about their own meanings and understandings of Palestine: —Which Palestine are we talking about? What stories mean to you? What is Palestine for you? What is sacred?
It is 2024 and the military offensive against the Palestinian population in Gaza is increasingly cruel, painful and terrifying. Genocide, mass expulsion, blockade of basic food and water supplies, targeted bombing on hospitals, schools, family homes, electricity cuts, shortages of medical supplies, destruction of land, air and water; and more. Against this background, we return to these conversations, with much love, to nurture these affinities, to continue listening, to keep talking about Palestine. And, above all, to push us to act despite the fear, the feelings of powerlessness, the pain. To resist, to survive, to tell stories for a free and living Palestine.
(Personal) Stories about Palestine
- What does it mean to be human for you? (3:54)
- A self-organising community during the intifada (4:43)
- To see the land (3:27)
What is Palestine?
- A teacher of dignity (1:49)
- People who get together when they are under oppression (1:10)
- The struggle itself, the hope of change (3:07)
What is sacred?
- Sharing and exchanging (1:52)
- Principles (0:52)
- My grandmother & her hands, my village (1:17)
Photo: Palestinian market in the Old City of Hebron (occupied West Bank, 2018).
Bonus tracks
- Palestine in a basket (0:43)
- Living in Palestine as a woman (3:42)
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