29th November 2023

Johannesburg

Cultural Evening of Poetry and Music connect with the Palestinian people and its artists in an act of solidarity

The African Women Writers Network in partnership with the Palestine Festival SA (Palfest SA) will host a cultural evening to commemorate the United Nations International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. This solidarity event takes place amidst a war that has resulted in Gaza becoming “a graveyard for thousands of children,” as the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) recently decried. The organisation added, “it is a living hell for everyone else. And yet the threats to children go beyond bombs and mortars.”

The Cultural Evening of Poetry and Music seeks to connect with the Palestinian people and its artists in an act of solidarity. Palestinian musician Bashar Murad captures the need for music and culture in his song Ya Lel, I’ll write songs to heal myself, and the moon will talk with me from my window.

The cultural evening will be a hybrid event of a live audience and artists as well  as streamed on various social media platforms.

Palestinian music contributions from Gaza, West Bank, Jerusalem and diaspora include MC Abdul, Hamadah, Rajieen, Bashar Murad, 47 Soul and Shadia Mansour will be included in the programme.  Messages of support from Susan Abulhawa (author and director of Palestine Writes  Literary Festival) will  also feature in this cultural evening  of solidarity with the  People of Palestine.

The South African programme will feature poetry, talks and music. The center piece of the evening will be leading jazz vocalist and trombone player Siya Makuzeni, accompanied by Themby Khumalo on vocals and a talented jazz quartet featuring Muhammad Dawjee (saxophone), Tshegofatso Teffo (guitar), Simz Tshabalala (drums) and Wally Ngoveni (bass). Hosted by comedian and medical doctor Suhayl Essa, the evening will also include a special talk by Professor Salim Vally (University of Johannesburg), and poets Dshamilja Roshani and Vuyelwa Maluleka.

For more information on the content of the programme, interview requests or access to high resolution pictures contact JT Comms on media@jtcomms.co.za or 011 788 7632

Issued by JT Communication Solutions on Behalf of The African Women Writers Network in partnership with the Palestine Festival SA (Palfest SA)

Details for the Event:

A Cultural Evening of Poetry and Music: United Nations International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People

Date: Wednesday 29th Nov 2023

Time: 6 to 8.30 pm

Venue: Photo Workshop Auditorium, Market Square, opposite the Market Theatre, Newtown

Address: 138 Lillian Ngoyi St (old Bree St), Newtown, Johannesburg

RSVP: Please email to afroartsurban@gmail.com

Entrance: FREE. Donations of +R100 upwards are welcomed, towards a bursary fund for an arts student in Palestine.

Live Streaming: websites www.awwn.co.za and www.afroarts.co.za, Facebook Page African Women Writers Network    ; www.discovrtv .co.za