Democratic Palestine : 32 (ص 43)
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- Democratic Palestine : 32 (ص 43)
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sing. They express the determination and will of the people and
the present forms of struggle.
The stone of our land is holy.
The stone of our land is legendary.
We build on our will and we are proud.
Towards national liberation, comrade,
national disobedience will shorten the way.
There is no alternative but expelling the occupiers!
The road is long and will need endurance.
The struggle of our people is the spirit of joy.
Our whole people is filled with determination...
We eat spinach and thyme
and sweeter than honey is the bread from our ovens.
The intifada is reflected in every sphere of social life. We
were able to experience the immediate connection between the
intifada and the arts a few days later at a folklore gathering at
Al Hakawati theater in Jerusalem. The intifada in a theater
hall - not a seat was empty. People of all ages have come
together from various villages and towns. The lights dim,
conversations are broken off, laughter and greetings die down.
A deep silence fills the room as all turn their thoughts to the
martyrs of the intifada. An oath, that their sacrifices will not
be in vain, marks the beginning of every performance.
Suddenly the stage is bathed in light. A tableau of the in-
tifada presents itself: a young boy throwing a stone, kofias,
women in confrontation, in traditional dress and in jeans, a
prisoner, a martyr, the victory sign.
For a moment silence prevails. Then cheers, slogans and
trills burst the stillness. Each and every one here has found
their likeness in the tableau. Everyone is on their feet, clapp-
ing, stamping and cheering with pride. The lights are cut and
the stage is engulfed in darkness.
The group of 15 to 20 youth are performing for the first
time, but appear to be known to all. People constantly shout
greetings to the lead dancer who was recently released from
prison. Tonight’s performance is a mixture of theater, song
and dubka. Each element harbours an aspect of the intifada,
revealing it in a unique way. The ensemble culminates in a
precise expression of the character of the uprising. There are
neither actors nor spectators - everyone is involved. The first
sketch is only five minutes long; few lines are spoken, yet much
is said about the character of the people’s confrontation.
A Palestinian youth runs onto the stage, followed by a
heavily armed Zionist soldier who captures him and ties his
hands behind his back. The soldier gags and blindfolds him
with his own kofia, all the while calling for reinforcements.
Increasingly insecure, the soldier calls for his commander,
for other soldiers, but no one comes, and the soldier’s voice
is shaky, fearful, not more than a squeak. Meanwhile, the
prisoner sits calmly, while the soldier becomes more and
more distraught. Finally, when no one comes, he unties his
prisoner and slinks away.
The military, equipped with the most modern weapons, is at-
tempting to suppress an uprising of people armed with stones,
Democratic Palestine, March 1989
and it’s failing. Who is inferior and who is superior in this
sketch is clear to all, for the people experience this daily and
they are proud. On the stage, the scene has changed and the
next sketch begins:
It is early morning and one of the shebab is standing guard
outside a liberated village. A villager wanting to pass is ask-
ed for his ID card. He pulls out the orange card of the oc-
cupation, whereupon he receives a contemptuous look. The
guard rips the card from his hand and throws it on the
ground. Immediately the villager understands; he takes a
stone out of his pocket and is allowed to pass.
The last sketch is particularly popular:
An old man walks with a child, and the child asks, «But
where are we going?» The old man pauses. Leaning on his
cane, he answers: «To Palestine, my son.» «How do you
know the way?» the small boy asks. Setting forth, the old
man Says: «I see a boy over there throwing a stone.»
Each sketch, a fleeting glimpse of the intifada,gives rise to
euphoric cheering. The intifada is everyday life for these peo-
ple, and we, the only real ‘spectators’ here tonight, have
discovered many of its aspects. Tonight is a celebration, a
marvelous celébration of the intifada and of everyday life.
The last notes of the flute waver and fade away as the lights
go on again. Some of the artists have already changed. With
their traditional dress tucked under their arms, they disappear
into the crowd. There are no encores. Everyone hurries along.
There is still a lot to do today. A demonstration begins shortly
in Ramallah. Others probably have committee meetings, have
to feed the chickens, stand guard, teach or study in popular
education classes, care for the wounded... Everyday life in the
intifada is varied and folklore is just one aspect. Finally, we
too set off. the impressions of the intifada continue to dance
before our eyes, slogans ring in our ears: Intifada until victory
- No way back! @
Parts of this same story were previously published in Al Karamah magazine,
Postfach 20 20 3550 Marburg/Lahn, West Germany. Our German-speaking
readers may want to contact Al Karamah for information on how to obtain the
book No Way Back! - هو جزء من
- Democratic Palestine : 32
- تاريخ
- مارس ١٩٨٩
- المنشئ
- الجبهة الشعبية لتحرير فلسطين
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