As a reaction to current tragic events in Palestine that are resulting in thousands of murders of Palestinian people by the hands of Israeli occupation, many long-awaited events in the Arab region have been postponed or canceled as an act of solidarity as an act of humanity. Among those are the El Gouna Film Festival, Qatar Creates Week, and the Arab Music Festival.
Cairo International Film Festival
Cairo International Film Festival is the oldest festival of its kind in the Middle East and Africa.
The minister of culture Neveen Al Kilany announced on October 18 the postponing the 45th edition of the Cairo Film Festival CIFF in solidarity with Gaza. The festival initially was going to take place next month from November 15th to 24th. Currently, the current Film Festival is postponed with no further notice. Furthermore, the festival press office clarified that the postponement amounts to a de-facto cancellation.
Qatar Creates
Qatar Creates is a massive and diverse year-round cultural movement and a platform for arts and culture in Qatar led by Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. Qatar Museums has called off all the festivities planned for Qatar Creature Week.
Qatar museums express solidarity with Palestine by postponing celebrations and award festivities planned for Qatar creates week that is scheduled for October 2023 saying that while Qatar was not affected by the ongoing crisis there is not a moment to celebrate with the statement however the exhibition openings and panel discussions are taking place as planned.
The Arab Music Festival
The Egyptian Minister of Culture, Neveen Al Kilnay has announced the postponing of the 32nd edition of the Arab Music Festival until further notice.
The festival was initially scheduled to take place from October 24 to November 2 at the Cairo Opera House, in honor of the late musician Sayed Darwish.
The upcoming edition was set to include several activities planned that span 38 concerts, featuring 120 artists. Most notable among them is renowned singer Asala, Aly Al Haggar, Hany Shaker, Hamza Namira, Tamer Ashour, Medhat Saleh, and Angham.
El Gouna International Film Festival
Amidst the disturbing and upsetting events happening in Palestine, the Gouna Film Festival management decided to postpone the sixth edition.
GFF has been postponed twice. On October 20, the festival management said that it was postponed without further notice.
In addition to that GFF donated five million Egyptian pounds for the sake of aiding the war-stricken people of Gaza, in partnership with the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development and the Egyptian Red Crescent.
Ajyal Film Festival
“In solemn solidarity with our Palestinian brothers and sisters, the Doha Film Institute (DFI) will be canceling the 2023 edition of the Ajyal Film Festival,” said DFI in a statement on Instagram last Friday.
Grieving alongside the community within our region and standing firmly in opposition to the killings of the Palestinians. The event management declared It is simply not a time for celebration, but a time for focused and intentional action.
Over the years, AFF has championed voices from underrepresented communities worldwide with the aim of bringing a balance in narratives to the world of storytelling.
Carthage Film Festival
The Tunisian government has announced the cancellation of the 34th Carthage Film Festival, Africa’s oldest cinema showcase, in solidarity with the Palestinian people.
Originally scheduled to take place from October 28 to November 4; however, yesterday, October 22 the Tunisian Ministry of Cultural Affairs said in a statement it was canceling the event “in solidarity with our Palestinian brothers and considering the critical humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.. following the brutal Zionist aggression.”
Tunisia remains a firm supporter of the Palestinian resistance, and it has hosted the Palestine Liberation Organization in the eighties and nineties.
These are just a few of the events and festivals that have stood by humanity’s side.
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