Cultural expression provides the foundation stone for the endurance of a Palestinian identity, enabling it to remain strong despite 75 years of expulsion, occupation, and destruction.

The closing event of our tenth anniversary programme is less a celebration, more a testament to the powerful and enduring voices of Palestinian film-makers, musicians and artists.

In these darkest of times for Palestinians, art and culture remain uplifting rays of light. They are sources of inspiration, restoration and determination. They defy the destruction of a people.

Programme

The evening will include a welcome address from the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Abigail Marshall Katung, live performances, short films and discussion.

Line-up so far (full programme to be confirmed):

Sarah Agha
British actress, presenter, writer, and curator. She founded the Arab Film Club and presented the BBC documentary The Holy Land And Us: Our Untold Stories (2023). Her films include Layla (2024).

Saied Silbak
Palestinian composer and oud player. Trained in classical piano from the age of four, before moving onto the oud in his early teens. His unique sound fuses music from Arabic, Turkish and Indian to classical Western styles. He has performed in the UK and around the world at festivals and concert series.

Councillor Abigail Marshall Katung
Nigerian born, with a Masters degree in Development Studies from Leeds University. She was the first African to be elected to Leeds City Council in 2019, and became the first African Lord Mayor of Leeds in 2024.

Gaza Sunbirds/Amos Trust
A collection will be held for the Gaza Sunbirds, a para-cycling team now dedicated to providing aid across the South of the Gaza strip.
Katie Hegley, on behalf of Amos Trust, will show a short film and talk about their support for this and other grass roots projects.

Visit our website for more information.