English Department, Faculty of Arts at IUG, and “Culture for Sustainable and Inclusive Pease – CUSP”, in cooperation with Nawa for Culture and Arts Association, and in partnership with the University of Glasgow, UK lunched the big event entitled: “Palestinian Theatre and Arts: Woman and Inclusive Peace”. The event is considered the first of its kind at the Gaza Strip’s level. It was held with a large scale of participation from domestic institutions and universities aiming at exploring talents and abilities of English Language students in theatre and arts aspect by focusing on woman-based issues in order to promote the culture of peace and social justice.
Prof. Naim Baroud, Dean of Faculty of Arts, thanked English Language Department for organizing this important event, which is taking place in conjunction with the celebration of International Women’s Day: “Today we celebrate the launch of this major event, which reviews diverse issues of women – particularly Palestinian women – through the use of literature, arts and theatre”, adding that convening such activities and events comes in line with the vision of the university and the faculty, and their continuous endeavor to achieve social justice. Prof. Baroud valued the role of English Language Department in networking with local and international institutions and universities.
Dr. Mosheer Amer, Head of English Language Department, expressed his happiness and pride of English students achievements, explaining that the activities of this event aims at showcasing talents and artistic creation of the students in the department, which reflect their spirit of hope, dedication, talent, creativity and art.
According to Dr. Amer, there are more than 120 students participating in this major event, whose literary contributions vary from poetry reciting to theatrical performances and literary exhibition, which as a whole shed light on women’s issues and concepts, thus promoting a culture of respect and inclusive peace among societies.
Dr. Amer commended the English Department’s strong ties with inveterate international universities like Glasgow in UK, adding that the department is diligently inaugurating more domestic and international relationships and partnerships that have resulted in the successful exchange of students with universities in Britain and Spain.
Dr. Nazmi Almasri, Director of CUSP project, explained that holding this event stemmed from the cooperation of 11 international partners in a project entitled: “Culture for Sustainable and Inclusive Peace,” adding that the project team, through the event’s activities, seeks to promote multiple values: Promoting a culture of cooperation through teamwork among participating students, local institutions and partners, as well as encouraging the optimal use of literary arts and theatre to create societies that support peace and justice, as well as encouraging students to engage in a fun and non-systematic learning environment that helps them discover themselves, their abilities and their creations.
Dr. Alison Phipps, Director of CUSP program at the University of Glasgow, expressed via Skype her admiration of English students’ abilities: “We know that in Palestine you have suffered siege,” Israeli occupation “, and multiple wars for decades. Few people around the world understand how important it is to use art to find sustainable and inclusive peace within societies, and as Europe witnesses war again, it is critical that the whole world learn from your experiences”
Theatrical performances
Theater performances included 11 works of art, ranging from acting to poetry, three poems praising the role of women in public life were recited. Dr. Akram Habib, Professor of Poetry in English Department at IUG, delivered a self-composed poem in celebration of International Women’s Day and student creations of English Department. Student Yara Jouda also recited a poem entitled: “I am you”, composed by Dr. Refaat Alareer, Professor of Literature in English Department at IUG. The third poem was written by Dr. Sarah Ali and delivered by student Nada Alaloul.
Additionally, the audience witnessed seven dramas highlighting the daily challenges and suffering of Palestinian women, came by the names: Mother of Light, Life Between Struggle and Hope, Bullying, Palestinian Female Captives, The Ghost of Light, Hamlet Trial, Granny Arrows.
Exhibition
The first day of the event concluded with the launching the Literary Exhibition, which showcases the artistic and creative ideas of the students of the Department. The students took advantage of the literary subjects they had learned and formulated them to find new ideas for the exhibition.
The success of the exhibition culminated in the creation of 8 corners focusing all on women in Palestinian and Western theatre, exploring the following topics: Women in Palestinian Theatre, Women in Palestinian Theatre in Diaspora, Palestinian Playwrights, Shakespeare and Women’s Empowerment, Shakespeare and Evil Women, Women in Plays by Western Women Writers, Women in Resistance Theatre, and Arab Palestinian Muslim Women in European Theatre.
It should be noted that the activities of the exhibition will continue from 7 March until 14 March 2022.
