August, 1997:

Due to the collective punishment imposed by the Israeli authorities this month on the Palestinian people, cultural activities were perturbed, as a number of events & performances were canceled. These were the scaled down activities that took place in August:

Visual Arts:

* As part of the Ramallah festival, a comprehensive exhibit of contemporary works by local and Diaspora Palestinian artists was organized at the Sakakini and at the Ziryab Gallery & Café.

Festivals

* The festival season continued this month with the Ramallah festival, featuring a book fair, parades, craft shows, jazz concerts, and classical Arabic music recitals. Due to the closure imposed by Israeli authorities on Palestinian cities, the majority of foreign artists and troops, as well as books due to be exhibited at the book fair, were not permitted entry.

* Other festivals organized this month: A children’s festival in Gaza city, featuring original artistic works produced by children: short plays, poetry recitals, book exhibit, art shows, etc.. And the Nablus Nights Festival. The Jenine festival, due to be organized for the first time, was canceled because of the closure.

Cinema

* The Khan Younis Red Crescent Society organized a festival of Palestinian films, featuring screenings of 14 recent films by Michel Khleifi, Ali Nassar, Rachid Macharawi, Hani Abu Ass’ad, and others.

* The Hayyan Ju'beh documentary" Al Nadhiroun" was premiered at the National Theater in Jerusalem, about life under occupation in the Golan Heights.

Theater

Due to the closure, the Ramallah festival theater program was severely reduced, and two plays only were performed:

* The one man show "Qissat Assila", written directed & performed by Radi Shihadeh, produced by the Mghar Theatre company.

* "Let’s Act without Stopping" , written and directed by Palestinian - Dutch playwright Ramzi Nasser. The play explores issues of exile, identity , and social links. The play was awarded the Philip Morris prize at the National Theatre Schools festival in Amsterdam