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All-night Gaza culture fete: We miss this kind of freedom
Hamas' strict cultural policies don't leave much opportunity for many art or music festivals. In rare occasion, cultural event sponsored by French Cultural Center in parallel with Paris 'Nuit Blanche' keep Gazans out all night in celebration
News agencies
Hundreds of young Palestinians participated in the Nuit Blanche events Saturday evening that were held in parallel to the celebrated Paris all-night arts festival. The celebrations centered around the French Cultural Center (CCF) in Gaza City, which sponsored the events, whose main objective was to break the oppressive routine of the siege and the often stifling economic situation for the city's residents for just one night.
Nuit Blanche literally means "white night" in French and refers to an all-nighter.
One of the youths who took part in the Nuit Blanche events was Dina Mishal, 20, of Gaza City, who didn't hide her enthusiasm over the unique event, and even felt free enough to criticize Hamas.
"This night represents a lot for us. A concert like this one has been forbidden for a long time in Gaza," she said.
'A breath of fresh air' (Photo: AFP)
Another participant, a medical student, added, "The music is good. When I come here, I forget everything else. It is truly a breath of fresh air."
During the few hours of celebrations, the Gazan revelers enjoyed performances by Arab rap artists, break dancers, and a performance of the dabka, a traditional Palestinian dance, to the applause of between 300 and 400 people, mostly young, who came out to enjoy a night of fun. In addition, Palestinian artists presented their works, from paintings to video art, at the CCF, the only foreign cultural institution in the Gaza Strip.
Dancing the dabka, a traditional Palestinian dance (Photo: AFP)
Nuit Blanche celebrations have been held in the past in Ramallah, Nablus, and east Jerusalem, but celebrations of this sort in Gaza are rare. Hamas' strict policy on such events limits their number.
"There is a real demand for events of this kind. It is very important to hold cultural activities that perpetuate the value of creativity and encourages freedom of expression, said Jean Mathiot, CCF's new director.
Majd Ashour, 19, added, "The young people in Gaza are frustrated. There aren't any places here to have fun."
"Hamas policy forbids rap. But here Hamas didn't intervene," said Ayman Maghanis, 22, a member of a group of Palestinian rappers that performed during the celebrations. Ayman said the involvement of the CCF most likely prevented Hamas from taking action against the performance.
Mohamed Khrayes, the 22-year-old leader of the break dancing group Camps Breakerz, said, "This is the kind of freedom we miss the most."
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