By: Nida Awine
RAMALLAH, October 19, 2009 (WAFA)- 'Courage ... courage to movement, courage not to give up, courage to break doors, the courage to overcome barriers, the courage to fly', are words advocated by participants in the march of the road to Jerusalem, organized by Al-Hakawati theatre and the Ramallah Contemporary Art Academy.
The participants carried waves of the sea, boats, fish and doors, playing cards and toured the Jerusalem Street in the city, taking with them the colors and sounds on a trip to give a different sparkle to the city. The sea, fishermen, and boats walked side by side with the angels, humans and trees, in a performance along Jerusalem street. Participants ended by repeating the word 'courage' over and over again combined with every action in the lives of Palestinians.
The road to Jerusalem carried symbols, not weapons. Symbols built by the participants in a workshop held by 'Bread and Puppet Theatre' at Ramallah Contemporary Art Academy to express their relationship with the holy city. They marched away from the Manara Square, accompanied by 'Qaddura' and 'Ramallah and Al-Bireh' Scouts.
The way the public reacted to the parade was more than just normal, numbers of passers-by stopped to watch, and even walked along with the group. For the love of Jerusalem, everyone repeated: 'courage. ' The combination of humans and puppets was alluring.
For those who are not allowed to go to the sea, and those who are not allowed to see Jerusalem, the parade was an expression of self, a rebel against barriers, checkpoints and politics. Words like: Jerusalem is Palestinian could be heard, as well as questions like; what could art do about it? How could performances call for the peace we long for?
'Peace should only come along with justice. Peace is never an act of oppression, or confiscating rights,' Nadeem, Participant in the Parade said. Meanwhile, all participants, along with the audience practiced the courage of artistic expression, hoping that the next parade on the road to Jerusalem, would actually reach the Holy City, and celebrate there.