Palestine Festival 2025 Presents Harmonization Of Art And Humanity

Image: Yesica Sitinjak/VOI

JAKARTA - The 2025 Palestinian Festival (Palfest) was successfully held on Sunday, January 12, 2025, at the SMESCO Indonesia Convention Hall, Jakarta.

Hundreds of visitors seemed enthusiastic about attending the event, watching art exhibitions, musical performances, and theaters, as well as auctions hosting the title "All Eyes On Palestine".

Adara Relief International, a humanitarian agency, created a collaboration with the Jakarta Arts Council (DKJ) in organizing this event. As the main attraction, Palfest combines humanitarian themes with elements of art and culture, and packs performances in a more modern concept to educate the public about the history of Palestinian colonialism.

"There has been genocide, aggression since 2023, this makes us have to focus on introducing Palestine specifically, with our round of 4," said Adara Relief International President Director, as well as humanitarian activist for Palestine, Maryam Rachmayani, during a press conference on Sunday, January 12, 2025.

The first about Palestinian soil is very beautiful, the sea is Mediterranean and others. In the second half there was about land acquisition, events of the elderly, Palestinians leaving their own lands. The next round of era, they removed the Palestinians, and the last round was hope with the ruins, there was hope for us to still be able to help Palestine. And later there will be an auction that is a territory to help Palestine, "he added.

At this festival, in the show area, visitors can enjoy various art galleries that present Palestinian nuances authentically and deeply. One of the main attractions in this art exhibition is the appearance of Palestinian heritage and culture, such as typical Palestinian clothing, Thobe, which is a symbol of culture and a strong identity.

Not only that, visitors can enjoy earth products and Palestinian authentic dishes. This area invites visitors to explore Palestinian history through exhibitions featuring documentation in the form of photos and interactive installations. Meanwhile, there is also an area that seems to tell how Gaza's current reality is, providing a close element for visitors who attend.

Maryam also said that the Palestine Festival was held as a form of the Indonesian nation's concern for the human rights struggle of the Palestinian people in the face of the current genocide. Including the auction event which was held for donations to the Palestinian people.

"This event was initiated to ensure to the people of Gaza and Palestine as well as the world that the eyes of all of us Indonesians are still focused on Palestine, All Eyes on Palestine," he said.

Various art performances colored the peak of the event which recounted the transformation of Palestinian conditions before and after the presence of colonialism. The dialogue is full of meaning between the famous singer, Kak Ojan, and his son, Ata, starting a series of stories.

In addition, there is a poem reading by the legendary Palestinian poet, Mahmoud Darwish, by Bella Fauzi, who carries a message of how beautiful Palestine is. The collaboration of theater performances with the DKJ team and various video shows is increasingly turning the atmosphere on, and gives a deep impression to the audience.

The voices of three important figures, namely Ikang Fawzi, Chiki Fawzi, and also Nurjanah Hulwani, raised the enthusiasm of visitors on the festival stage. The three of them conveyed humanitarian speeches regarding the blockade, genocide in Gaza, and the current condition of the Palestinian people. Jose Rizal, a well-known writer and Indonesian actor also colored the stage with his poetry.

Not to forget, the rhythm of the music group Sound For Palestine' is increasingly creating a exciting atmosphere. In addition, Fadli Padi a singer of the song Love Unfinished, well-known young musician, Adzando Davema, and the nasyid Edcoustic music group also brought the storyline to life in this festival with their performance.