Alrowwad Cultural and Arts Society is based in Aida refugee camp in Bethlehem. It provides dynamic community arts projects, promoting the cultivation of creativity as an alternative to violence. They call it ‘beautiful, non-violent resistance’ to empower children, young people and women.
As well as offering a child-centred, safe and inclusive space, the centre uses creative opportunities as a platform through which individuals can build confidence, express themselves and tell their stories – through theatre, dance, music, photography and film.
Artistic performances have toured throughout Palestine, as well as many countries in Europe and America, helping to raise awareness and preserve Palestinian traditional culture.
In addition to providing free pioneering training, equipment and supportive education, the centre runs an outreach programme to marginalised villages and refugee camps in the West Bank, where they partner with nurseries, schools and cooperatives to perform, exhibit and provide training and resources as needed.
Training programmes have also been developed to acknowledge and support the specific needs of women, including computer training, job creation projects, fitness and empowerment programmes. These help to reinforce the value of the women’s role in the community by improving their self confidence and encouraging their creativity.
To see the important work that takes place at Alrowwad and to find out more about 'Beautiful Resistance', please take a look at our short film.
Take a look through our range of resources, blog posts, downloads and products to find out more about our Palestine Justice work.
Barely 30 years old, Mosab Abu Toha was already a well-known poet when the current assault on Gaza began. After the Israeli army bombed and destroyed his house, destroying a library he had built for his community use, he and his family fled for their safety. Not for the first time in their lives. His new book, ‘Forest of Noise’ is now available from Amos Trust.
“The situation is very horrible and scary. Families are forced to evacuate their homes and become displaced, including some of our staff. The UN reports 350,000 people are already displaced. There is no place safe in Gaza. Every place is targeted.” Dr Lubna Sabah, NECC. The population in Gaza is experiencing a humanitarian disaster. Our emergency appeal is for our partners in Gaza. Please help.
On 6th April 2024, Layan Nasir was taken at gunpoint from her parents’ home in the West Bank after 15 soldiers burst into her house to arrest her. She was held without charge on administrative detention until her release shortly before Christmas. Since 7th October 2023, Israel has arrested or detained over 14,000 Palestinians from Jerusalem and the West Bank and countless more from Gaza. Join Layan and human rights lawyer Tala Nasir as they discuss the appalling conditions in Israeli jails and the widespread hunger and physical, sexual and psychological abuse of Palestinian prisoners.
Mosab Abu Toha is a Palestinian poet, short-story writer and essayist from Gaza. After the Israeli army bombed and destroyed his house in November 2023, Mosab and his family fled for their safety. We are delighted to have Mosab join us on Tuesday 28th January, when he will be reading from and discussing his latest remarkable and critically acclaimed poetry book, Forest of Noise, and discussing the ongoing situation in Gaza and what the future may hold. Full details.
A highlight of Amos’ calendar, the Bet Lahem Live Arts Festival is one of the best ways to see and celebrate Palestinian culture at its most exuberant. Set in the heart of Old Bethlehem and nestled in amongst the historic winding streets, this weekend long, giant street party is crammed to the brim with local and international music, art and dance.
Amos Trust and The Walled Off Hotel presented the ‘Colours of Gaza’ exhibition at The Walled Off Gallery in Bethlehem in September 2022. This short film tells the story. Colours of Gaza is part of On Location, Amos Trust's new project which will promote, support and celebrate the power, resilience, professionalism and vibrancy of the artistic community living and working under siege in Gaza today.
Since October 2023, Gaza has endured a catastrophic Israeli military assault that has forcibly displaced more than 1.9 million people — nearly 90% of its population. Families are surviving in tents or makeshift shelters with very little protection against the harsh winter. In the North Gaza governorate, where the siege has stretched beyond 100 days, over 5,000 Palestinians have been killed or forcibly disappeared as a result of the Israeli forces’ siege, attacks, and arbitrary detentions. Read the full statement.
In our first blog post of the year, you will read about some of the occasions in 2024 when we heard about the ‘other world’ taking a breath. Sometimes, it was a long, deep gasp of air, others a rattly asthmatic cough. We are working with some great people on plans for 2025, which we are excited about and look forward to sharing with you soon but for now, below are some of our highlights from 2024.
Our second book of poetry, prose, creative writing and reflection is now available. ‘Seeds Of Hope: More Thoughts and Reflections from Amos Trust’ has contributions from Zena Kazeme, Arundhati Roy, Ben Okri, Cornel West, Angela Davis, Robert Cohen, Maya Angelou and our partner Abdelfattah Abusrour. “What a wonderful collection of writing — rich, deep, broad, funny, touching, angry, and, most importantly, encouraging.” Brian Eno — producer, musician, writer and artist.
Amos Trust
7 Bell Yard, London
WC2A 2JR
UK
Telephone:
+44 (0) 203 725 3493
Email:
[email protected]
Registered Charity No.
1164234
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