Jenin Creative Cultural Centre – Canary

Although they have taken part in film and theatre festivals in various European countries, Yousef Shalabi and his team at Jenin Creative Cultural Centre have not visited the UK since 2006. Many changes have taken place since then.

Jenin Creative Cultural Centre — ‘Despite the pain we can celebrate our music’

He tells the Canary:

There’s now a new generation, a new era of suffering and madness in the Middle East. There are lots of changes, but unfortunately they do not give us a better life. Democracy, human rights, the international community and freedom have failed us many times over the years. All the world saw what happened in Gaza, and the unlimited destruction. And this has destroyed the dreams of the Palestinian people of having their independent state. We saw that Europe and the US want to stop the war in Ukraine, but when it comes to Palestinian rights, no one cares. International institutions are also facing collapse, and there is not even support for UNRWA, the last institution supporting the Palestinian refugees. So really, so much has happened.

The musicians from the centre are hoping to return to the UK later this year. Their goal is to show people that despite all the daily hardships Palestinians face, they are carrying a message of hope.

Shalabi says:

We want to live in peace, with dignity, as all other nations do, and to build a future for our kids. Despite the pain, we can celebrate our music and let others enjoy it too. We also want to create awareness among the British people, and let them know we salute them for their solidarity, and their big demonstrations in support of Palestine. Hopefully this tour will happen and will be as successful as the one in 2006.

Psychological trauma and economic hardship part of daily Palestinian life

Jenin Creative Cultural Centre was established in 2005, as a response to the Jenin Refugee Camp massacre of 2002, by the Israeli occupation. Destruction was widespread in the camp, and many residents were displaced. According to Shalabi, there was a growing need at the time for psychological support, especially for the women and children.

Now, more than 20 years later, the needs of the community are greater than ever. The Israeli occupation recently forcibly displaced all 17,000 residents from Jenin Refugee Camp, as part of its campaign to ethnically cleanse the occupied territory of Palestinians. Currently, the West Bank has also been plunged into its deepest economic crisis on record. So the work of the Jenin Creative Cultural Centre has become essential.

But tightened movement restrictions since October 2023, as well as safety concerns due to increased violence by the Israeli occupation forces (IOF), have made it much more difficult for Palestinians to make their way to the centre. So the staff — who are all volunteers — go to the community instead. Shalabi says several of the musicians have faced severe problems, while growing restrictions have also prevented them from getting together to play music.

One musician lost his brother, who was killed by a drone in front of his house in the Jenin camp. Another two became displaced with their families. One of them was Alaa. He toured with the Jenin Creative Cultural Centre 20 years ago, but has now lost everything. It’s so important to have such musicians to play our music, despite the horrible conditions. They used to play to groups of 60 children at the centre, but we now go mainly to the Arab American University.

Art is a tool which can be used to heal Jenin

There are around 600 families currently staying at the university, who were displaced from Jenin Refugee Camp more than 14 months ago. They still know nothing about what has happened to their homes. Many children are among them, so Jenin Creative Cultural Centre also does activities for them, such as facepainting, while running workshops for the women.

While those forcibly displaced from Jenin Refugee Camp are particularly affected by depression and trauma, Shalabi says the daily lives of others in Jenin are no less traumatic, with many having lost family members, and friends. Allowing people to talk about the hardships they have endured is sometimes enough to help them leave behind the traumatic situations they have faced. But sometimes they may need something more.

We see art as a tool, for healing. It creates an atmosphere of peace and relaxation. We wanted to create a safer place, where children can practice hobbies. Our projects, such as our pottery workshop, also help women develop new skills, to enable them to get a livelihood and some income.

An important part of Jenin Creative Cultural Centre’s work is also to build bridges with the international community, and create awareness of the ongoing situation caused by ‘Israel’. Shalabi says they want to invite their friends from around the world to not only volunteer and bring their various skills to the local Palestinian community, but to also live with the Palestinian people, and experience life under occupation.

He adds:

There are also lots of interesting historical sites in the Jenin area, and you can enjoy the Palestinian food. This is an invitation for anyone who is interested to come and see, and live with us, and show the Palestinians your solidarity.

Help Jenin Creative Cultural Centre’s musicians play traditional Palestinian music to a UK audience

Jenin Creative Cultural Centre needs to raise £10,000 for their three week trip to the UK. There are plans for musical evenings to take place in universities, cinemas and centres in both England and Scotland.

The plan is for six volunteers from the centre to take part in the tour, including five musicians. These include a singer, a keyboard player, a traditional Palestinian flute player, and a musician who plays the Oud — one of the oldest string instruments, originating in the Middle East.

Shalabi says:

You will miss a lot if you don’t come. We are sure you will enjoy our performance of Palestinian traditional music, and you will dance. Music is a way to unify people for peace and entertainment, and hopefully we will meet you all with the spirit of happiness.

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