World Music Comes to Palestine

Musical exchange is what makes the Palestine International Festival so special. Each year, groups from all over the world have performed to Palestinian audiences who have rarely had the chance to hear music from other cultures. These international groups have presented not only traditional music and dance from their own countries but also given us a taste of contemporary musical trends. Through their music and dance we can take a glimpse at other cultures, and this exchange helps also to promote Palestinian culture.

This year we are hosting Chico and the Gypsies and for the first time music from the Roma (Gypsy) community in Europe. Chico, the founder of the Gypsy Kings, and his band, continue to popularise the rich musical heritage the Roma (Gypsy) people are renowned for throughout Europe. Their music has influenced other musical traditions in Europe, particularly in France and Spain.

The Roma continue to face persecution in many European countries, and this discrimination and racism finds its expression in their musical work through their focus on the subject of 'love not war'. The group has travelled all over the world singing of peace, love, and their solidarity with the oppressed peoples of the world. Their famous song 'Hace me La'mor', from their album Tengo Tengo, touched people with its humanitarian theme and global perspective, and the song was performed in several languages.