Palestinian youths perform, share their lives
A group from a Palestinian refugee camp performed at the Festival of Arts and Community Building. The members of the Al-Rowwad Children's Theatre and Cultural Training Center are wrapping up a monthlong trip to this country. (By Michael Clevenger, The Courier-Journal)
By Chris Ottsand Paul WilsonThe Courier-Journal
http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050709/NEWS01/507090406&SearchID=73214085221743
Terryll Wadlington and RyOndrae Wesley watched intently as 11 children from a Palestinian refugee camp in one of the world's most turbulent regions smiled and danced before them.
"Yeah, boy!" Terryll yelled at the one of the dancers.
"They must be in good shape," RyOndrae said.
Terryll and RyOndrae, both of western Louisville, were among about 100 people who watched the Palestinian dancers last night at the Festival of Arts and Community Building at Urban Spirit, 26th and Bank streets. Louisville is the last stop in the Palestinian group's monthlong trip to the United States, which ends tomorrow.
The children are members of Al-Rowwad Children's Theatre and Cultural Training Center in Aida, a cramped refugee camp in Bethlehem, said AbdelFattah Abu-Srour, who founded Al-Rowwad.
"The children have no space to play, no green space. They have only the streets around them to fight with each other, to break the windows of the neighbors -- or just to be in continuous confrontation with Israeli soldiers," he said.
Al-Rowwad gives Palestinian young people a chance to express their opposition to the Israeli occupation peacefully with song, dance and art, he said.
The group also seeks to change an American perception that Palestinians "are only throwing stones or being suicide bombers," Abu-Srour said.
The children produced a play that draws on their lives in the camp and is also a historical drama about Palestine.
"This is our version of our own history," he said.
The play has been staged in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Vermont.
"The people here have been so wonderful to us," said Husam Alazeh, 15, another Aida resident.
Before last night's event, the group met yesterday with a group of black teens from around Louisville called Pride Without Prejudice.
Mohammed Abu-Srour, 16, noted that unlike where he lives, in the United States people of different races and cultures mingle.
Janene Shakir, a lifelong Louisville resident who converted to Islam in 1979, explained that it wasn't that way before schools integrated. Blacks still face oppression, she said.
RyOndrae, who is black, said he related to the Palestinians' feelings. "Like if me and my friend were to go into a different neighborhood, they'll look at us different," the Central High School student said.
Some Americans still carry suspicions of Arabs as possible terrorists or religious fanatics, but all the Americans they've dealt with have been welcoming, AbdelFattah Abu-Srour said.
Husam said the group has been able to make Americans see that average Palestinians are peaceful. Of terrorism, he said, "I don't why they do that. I am against that. I don't want any problems for the society."
After spending a nearly a month in the United States -- away from the Israeli checkpoints at his home in Bethlehem -- Mohammed said he has a new appreciation for a free society and for Americans.
"They are very good people, I love them," said Mohammed, a distant relative of Al-Rowwad's founder. "And I will tell the people at home that they are good people."
He said he hopes that the Americans who have met him will say the same about Palestinians.
http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050709/NEWS01/507090406&SearchID=73214085221743
Terryll Wadlington and RyOndrae Wesley watched intently as 11 children from a Palestinian refugee camp in one of the world's most turbulent regions smiled and danced before them.
"Yeah, boy!" Terryll yelled at the one of the dancers.
"They must be in good shape," RyOndrae said.
Terryll and RyOndrae, both of western Louisville, were among about 100 people who watched the Palestinian dancers last night at the Festival of Arts and Community Building at Urban Spirit, 26th and Bank streets. Louisville is the last stop in the Palestinian group's monthlong trip to the United States, which ends tomorrow.
The children are members of Al-Rowwad Children's Theatre and Cultural Training Center in Aida, a cramped refugee camp in Bethlehem, said AbdelFattah Abu-Srour, who founded Al-Rowwad.
"The children have no space to play, no green space. They have only the streets around them to fight with each other, to break the windows of the neighbors -- or just to be in continuous confrontation with Israeli soldiers," he said.
Al-Rowwad gives Palestinian young people a chance to express their opposition to the Israeli occupation peacefully with song, dance and art, he said.
The group also seeks to change an American perception that Palestinians "are only throwing stones or being suicide bombers," Abu-Srour said.
The children produced a play that draws on their lives in the camp and is also a historical drama about Palestine.
"This is our version of our own history," he said.
The play has been staged in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Vermont.
"The people here have been so wonderful to us," said Husam Alazeh, 15, another Aida resident.
Before last night's event, the group met yesterday with a group of black teens from around Louisville called Pride Without Prejudice.
Mohammed Abu-Srour, 16, noted that unlike where he lives, in the United States people of different races and cultures mingle.
Janene Shakir, a lifelong Louisville resident who converted to Islam in 1979, explained that it wasn't that way before schools integrated. Blacks still face oppression, she said.
RyOndrae, who is black, said he related to the Palestinians' feelings. "Like if me and my friend were to go into a different neighborhood, they'll look at us different," the Central High School student said.
Some Americans still carry suspicions of Arabs as possible terrorists or religious fanatics, but all the Americans they've dealt with have been welcoming, AbdelFattah Abu-Srour said.
Husam said the group has been able to make Americans see that average Palestinians are peaceful. Of terrorism, he said, "I don't why they do that. I am against that. I don't want any problems for the society."
After spending a nearly a month in the United States -- away from the Israeli checkpoints at his home in Bethlehem -- Mohammed said he has a new appreciation for a free society and for Americans.
"They are very good people, I love them," said Mohammed, a distant relative of Al-Rowwad's founder. "And I will tell the people at home that they are good people."
He said he hopes that the Americans who have met him will say the same about Palestinians.
The reporters can be reached at cotts@courier-journal.com and pawilson@courier-journal.com
posted by Alrowwad at 10:00 PM
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