PRESS RELEASE 9/9 2009

Centre for Culture and Development & Yabous Productions present

Palestine in Copenhagen

in celebration of Jerusalem – Capital of Arab Culture 2009
ISLANDS BRYGGE  26th – 27th SEPTEMBER

Denmark celebrates Jerusalem – Capital of Arab Culture; two eventful days will introduce Danish audiences to the rich diversity of Palestinian art, film, dance, music and cuisine
Vibrant performances, engaging concerts, gripping films, bazaar and workshops by some of the best Palestinian artists as well as innovative, joint productions with prominent Danish artists. This event will showcase Palestinian art and culture in Denmark and serve to strengthen relations between Denmark and the Arab world and culture in which Jerusalem plays a pivotal role.

The festival is the only celebration of Jerusalem – Capital of Arab Culture 2009 outside the Arab region, featuring more than 40 Palestinian artists.
In addition to the events, bazaar and workshop, CKU has invited a list of prominent guests to talk at the opening and participate in a follow up debate. Amongst these honoured speakers are Mr. Rafiq H. Husseini  – Chair of the Administrative Council, Jerusalem – Capital of Arab Culture 2009, Sheikh Muhammad Hussein – Grand Mufti of Jerusalem and Rev. Dr. Naim Ateek.

Al-Quds Arab Capital of Culture is an initiative undertaken by UNESCO as part of the Arab Capital of Culture programme to promote and celebrate Arab culture and encourage cooperation in the Arab region.

ABOUT THE PARTICIPATING ARTIST

MUSIC/HIP HOP Ramallah Underground
Ramallah Underground was born from the immediacy of musical experimentation and the need to give voice to a generation of Palestinians and Arabs who face a turbulent and uncertain political landscape. The group was founded by artists Boikutt, Stormtrap and Aswatt, both committed to creatively rejuvenate Arabic culture. They combine music ranging from Arabic electronic music , hip-hop, trip hop with a deep sense of their local culture.
DANCE  El – Fonoun
El-Funoun aims at developing and promoting contemporary Palestinian dance through reviving Palestinian folklore. The work builds and expands the folklore by adding El-Funoun’s unique dance style. This style is a product of El-Funoun’s own social and artistic perceptions, and it is influenced by Arab and international dance experiences.
MUSIC/CLASSIC  Oriental Music Ensemble
The Oriental Music Ensemble (OME) is one of the most prestigious contemporary Palestinian music groups.  Established in 1997 by the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music in Palestine, the group has performed extensively in and outside of Palestine. The energetic instrumental ensemble performs classical Middle-Eastern music based on Arabic tradition influenced by the greater orient.
VISUAL ARTS  Rana Bishara
Rana Bishara graduated from Haifa University and produces work that comment on the current political sitiuation in Palestine, using fragile and often disposable materials. She works in an area between the past and the present using tradition in surprising ways as well as using uncommon materials such as balloons and chocolate.
FILM  Larissa Sansour
A Space Exodus quirkily sets up an adapted stretch of Stanley Kubrick’s ‘Space Odyssey’ in a Middle Eastern political context. The recognisable music score of the 1968 science fiction film is changed to Arabic chords matching the surreal visuals of Sansour’s film. The film follows the director on a phantasmagoric journey through the universe echoing Stanley Kubrick’s thematic concerns about human evolution, progress and technology.

About Center for Culture and Development/Organizer
CKU collaborates with Danish embassies to implement Danida’s strategy for culture and development. The programmes aim to integrate and promote art and culture within the Danish development aid. CKU currently operates in Afghanistan, Bolivia, Ghana, Mali, Mozambique, Tanzania, Nepal, Palestine and Vietnam and has additional regional programmes in the Middle East and Africa. Since 1998 CKU has hosted the renowned international Images festivals presenting art and culture from developing countries to Danish audiences. The last festival was Images of the Middle East and the coming festival in 2010 currently being programmed and will be launched in May 2010.
ABOUT Yabous Productions/Co-organizer
In 1995, a number of  artists, culture enthusiasts from East Jerusalem decided to create a body to adopt the development and patronage of  performing arts in East Jerusalem, thus Yabous Productions was born. Two years later, in April 1997, Yabous Productions was officially registered as a non-profit organisation based in the city of Jerusalem. From that day on, Yabous Productions has been witnessing continuous successes, in most of its projects and programmes. It has also contributed in reviving the cultural life in Jerusalem and in giving the city the ambience that reflects its historical, religious, political and cultural importance.

PROGRAMME
Saturday 26th September
Tent
OPENING: 1pm – 2.30pm ‘Can Art Bridge People’?
Mads Øvlisen – Chair of the Danish Arts Council, Dr. Rafiq H. Husseini  – Chair, Administrative Council of Jerusalem Capital of Arab Culture 2009, Sheikh Muhammad Hussein – Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, Rev. Dr. Naim Ateek – Director of Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Centre
Reading in Arabic and Danish of ‘I Saw Ramallah’ by Mourid Barghouti

WORKSHOPS: 2.30pm – 5pm Palestine for the little ones by Rana Bishara

BAZAAR: 2.30pm – 5pm Pottery, glass, embroidery and art crafts

CONCERT: 5.30pm – 6.30pm Oriental Music Ensemble featuring guest musicians from Jydsk Musik Konservatorium
DINNER: 6.30 – 8pm Delicious Middle Eastern buffet prepared by Palestinian and Danish chefs: Adem Asci og Shady Hasbun. Welcome by director of CKU, Jens Kåre Rasmussen
Cafė
DEBATE: 2.30pm – 3.30pm ‘The role of Jerusalem as Capital of Arab Culture’
Dr. Rafiq H.Husseini, Grandmufti Muhammad Hussein, Rev. Dr. Naim Ateek and Rania Elias, Yabous. Moderator: Journalist Adam Hannestad
Conference Room
EXHIBITION: 2.30pm – 6pm Paintings by Rana Bishara
Big Room
PERFORMANCE: 3pm – 5pm El-Funoun followed by workshop
CONCERT: 8pm – 9.15pm Basel Zayed. Palestinian singer, lyricist and composer
CONCERT: 9.30pm – 10pm Zaki & Darg Team
CONCERT: 10.15 – 00.00pm Ramallah Underground. Palestinian hip-hop

Underground
FILM & VIDEOART: 2.30pm – 6pm Introduction by the directors/artists Larissa Sansour, Khaled Jarrar and Khalil Rabah
Sunday 27th September
FILM:11.00am –12.30pm ‘Pomegranates Myrrh’ by Najwa Najjar
LUNCH BREAK: 12.30pm –1.30pm
FILM: 1.30pm – 3pm ‘Salt of this sea’ by Annemarie Jacir
DEBATE: 3pm – 4pm  ’Behind the Camera’: Live interview with film directors Annemarie Jacir and Najwa Najjar. Moderator: Journalist Lene Johansen.