Alrowwad Cultural & Arts Society (West Bank)

Alrowwad Cultural & Arts Society was founded in 1998 to give young people in Aida Refugee Camp safe, non-violent ways to respond to life under occupation. Using dance, music, theatre and film, they help young people in Bethlehem express themselves and build a future.

Aida is densely overcrowded, hemmed in by the Israeli Separation Wall and a military base and subject to frequent incursions. It has been described as one of the most tear-gassed places in the world.

“A chance to live for Palestine and not to die for Palestine.” Abdelfattah Abusrour — Alrowwad Founder

Alrowwad’s programmes focus on dabke dance, music, drama, photography and film — empowering children and young people with positive alternatives to channel their frustrations.

The organisation now runs two centres in Aida Camp:

• a child-centred safe space,
• a community centre with a kitchen, accommodation and training facilities for women, including computer skills, vocational programmes, fitness and job creation.

Alrowwad also delivers outreach to isolated villages and refugee camps across the West Bank, partnering with schools, nurseries and cooperatives to perform, teach and exhibit.

Since October 2023, restrictions on movement and the sharp rise in settler violence have made this work more challenging. Despite these obstacles, Alrowwad continues to offer young people creative spaces for expression and hope.

Their youth-led performances have toured throughout Palestine, Europe and America, preserving Palestinian culture and raising global awareness.

To see the transformative work at Alrowwad and explore Beautiful Resistance, watch our short film →