FROM WEST CORNWALL TO THE WEST BANK
An evening of solidarity and song hosted by the Blend choir and Wildworks.
Wildworks travelled to the West Bank in 2010, as participants in Palfest, the Palestinian Festival of Literature and then in 2013 to create “Nablus, City of Stories” in collaboration with the people of Nablus and the adjacent refugee camps, New Askar and old Askar. We were hosted by Project Hope, an organisation providing education and cultural services to the city.
Our experience of working in the West Bank was both harrowing and uplifting. We witnessed and were told stories of constant harassment, land theft, displacement, humiliation and unlawful killings. But we also experienced hospitality without limits, resilience and mutual help. We encountered and collaborated with amazing artists and musicians who gave their all to create a piece of work that spoke of their lived experience.
The situation has become a lot worse since our visits. We want to support Project Hope in their unstinting work for their communities, and to show our solidarity with them at a time when forced displacement and unlawful killings are progressing apace in the West Bank.
Mercedes Kemp, Vicky Abbott and Julie Macara and the Blend choir worked with Hakim Sabbah of Project Hope and Palestinian musician Habib Al Deek to co-create an evening of song, spoken word, sonic meditations and circle songs in solidarity with the people of Palestine. We worked at a distance with Hakim and Habib who sent us a song and soundscapes from the Occupied Territories. We were also in contact with Munira El Najar, a poet and mother of four surviving in Gaza, and responded to her poetry. The evening also featured The Tinners Session Band and Wolf Gang.
Listen to studio recording of Drums of Outer War, Composed, produced and vocals by Julie Macara with lyrics from the Blend Community
DONATIONS STILL OPEN.
All money raised through ticket and drinks sales and donations were donated to Project Hope, Nablus.
