Welcome, Tuesday 06 January 2009, 04:43

Balata Youth Drama and Dance Group a Blasting Success in Exeter It was a sell out performance at Saturday’s (20th August) show in Exeter by the Balata refugee camp youth drama and dance group from Palestine. An audience of 250 people, including Exeter’s Lord Mayor Peter Wadham, came to see the amateur group (ages 10 – 20) perform their original work “A’edoon” (“We will return”) at John Stocker School. Alternating between dance and drama, this told the history and experiences of living in the camp in the Palestinian West Bank town of Nablus. This part of Palestine has been under illegal Israeli military occupation since 1967, and the actions of troops and illegally settled Israeli colonies in the area make life incredibly difficult. The performance expressed the children’s sorrow, anger and frustrations at the humiliations and repression they face, while still finding reasons to laugh, inspire and give hope for the future. Commenting on the show’s success, Exeter Palestine Solidarity spokesperson Karenza-Monica Case said “We were overwhelmed by the attendance and reception of local people for these young people’s visit, and want to thank everyone who made their trip and performance here possible. We hope this will be a springboard from which other cultural links can develop, and help raise awareness of the need for a just solution to the desperate situation in Palestine / Israel.” On Monday (22nd August) the group attended a reception with Teignbridge MP Richard Younger-Ross and gave a short performance in Triangle Place, Teignmouth town centre. Photos (Click thumbnails for larger versions)   Contact Webmeister: fuad@exeterpsc.org.uk All text and graphics © Exeter PSC 2003-7, and/or their respective owners.