A celebration of Palestinian culture and history was attended by hundreds of local people in the Borough Gardens on Saturday (31 August), including the mayor and mayoress who visited the event.
The event was organised by Dorset Palestine Solidarity Campaign, supported by Dorset Trades Council, Dorset UNISON and Dorchester Islamic Centre. Stalls did a busy trade selling Palestinian food, authentic Palestinian products, art and crafts and books. Activities included musicians and spoken word performers, poetry, Palestinian Dabkeh dancing, face painting and henna tattoos, and a busy kids tent.
Image Credits: Steve Pallant
Saied Silbak, internationally renowned Oud player.
Speit, Palestinian rapper & spoken word artist
Dorchester based musician Mustafa Mamu opened the event followed by poetry read by local people and Dabkeh dancing. The highlights were Palestinian rapper and spoken word artist, Speit, and the internationally renowned Palestinian composer and Oud player Saied Silbak, both of whom headlined the event. Silbak introduced his performance by giving a short history of the Oud, an instrument from the middle east, from which the lute originated.
Mayor and mayoress sampling Palestinian sweets.
The stalls, especially the food stall, did a roaring trade. Funds raised went to the charity Medical Aid for Palestine and many signed up for a “Big Ride for Palestine” charity event to be held on 29 September.
Dabkeh dancing.
In closing the event, Becci Brookman and Rob Ferguson, co-chair and secretary of Dorset PSC, thanked all who attended and the town council for providing use of the gardens. Rob Ferguson told those present that amidst the horror of the destruction of Gaza, it was still vital to register and celebrate the richness of the culture, history and people of Palestine.
Rob Ferguson, Secretary Dorset PSC with Mayor and Mayoress.
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