On 16 February, Under Construction: Flemish Palestinian Connections has officially opened its doors in Ghent. Minister-President of Flanders Geert Bourgeois has appropriated €150,000 for this joint project with the Palestinian Authority. Later this year (May), the festival will move to Ramallah.
Under Construction is a cultural festival that offers film, music, debate and theatre, performed by a new generation of Flemish and Palestinian artists. Instead of zooming in on differences, Under Construction focuses on dialogue and cooperation. With this project Flanders wants to contribute to international understanding and sympathy for the Palestinian cause.
The realisation of the project was entrusted to the Flemish vzw Connexion and the Palestinian A.M. Qattan Foundation. Mahmoud Abu Hashash, Director of Culture and Arts Programme of the A.M. Qattan Foundation called for more cooperation between the Flemish and Palestinian people: “It is a first peak of many collaborations, a result of investing in Palestinian makers. Art and culture inject hope into a society.”
Several Ghentian cultural actors, such as Vooruit, Design Museum and Minard Theatre joined the project.
The Under Construction festival runs from 16 through 25 February in Ghent and from 2 through 11 May in Ramallah.
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