Palestinian Youth Dance to Express

Hundreds of Palestinian children practiced over a period of five weeks to perform a dance that portrays their story and expresses their emotions about their lives.

The performance is called a community dance and is inspired by similar shows in Europe and Latin America.

Community dance uses body language as a means of communication that can be understood by everyone, even if it is interpreted in different manners. Its creators believe it stimulates feelings of warmth and understanding.

Nadia Aruri the Project coordinator in the Palestinian territories tells us more on the program. “We named this show “Exile” because it states the Palestinian story as well as the stories of many populations who were expatriated. We are lucky because the media coverage over the Palestinian issue is much better than other people’s stories coverage.”

“It is not necessary to fight with arms and wars; we can fight in our own way, which is dancing. We can communicate our ideas of helping Palestine by our dance scenes,” said Juline a participant in the show.

Community dance goes beyond language, nationality as well as the limits of entertainment. The dancer connects not just with himself but with the surrounding community as he or she reconciles with his or her realities.

Speakers:
Nadia Aruri the Project coordinator in the Palestinian territories
Juline a participant

Voice:
Noora Faraj
Ikam Al Yacoub

Adapted by: Sarah Sfreir