São Paulo – Starting tomorrow (9th), the municipality of Petrópolis, in the state of Rio de Janeiro, is going to host a debate on Palestine. Entitled "Palestine, a contemporary drama," the event is going to include a photographic exhibition and screenings of films about the country and the Middle East, as well as discussions of the Palestinian issue. The meetings will be held at the Candido Mendes University (UCAM).
The debates, which should take place alongside lectures by researchers of issues pertaining to the Middle East and Palestine, are going to happen immediately after the film screenings. Lecturers should include Houda Bakour, who specialises in Arabic Language and holds a master’s degree in Anthropology, Hani Hazime, a Professor at the Arab Literature course of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, and Paulo Gabriel Hilu, an anthropologist and director at the Centre of Arab Studies of the UCAM.
The author of the photographic exhibition is Beatriz Bíssio, who also holds a doctorate in History. Beatriz worked as a journalist in Africa, the Middle East and Latin America, as a correspondent for several Latin America-based media organisations. She is also going to feature in the debates after the opening of her exhibition and the screening of one of the films.
The program kicks off at 06:00 pm with the inauguration of the photographic exhibition, followed by the film “Waiting.” Directed by Rashid Masharawi, from Gaza, the film was made with French aid. It tells the story of the mission of Ahmad, who is in charge of selecting actors for the new Palestinian National Theatre. Ahmad tries to spot actors in the refugee camps. In addition to Beatriz, Paulo Gabriel Hilu is going to be a debater after the film.
On March 17th, at 06:00 pm, there will be a screening of the film "Borders of Fear and of Dreams," with a debate featuring Houda Bakour, and on March 23, at 07:00 pm, the film to be screened will be “Selves and Others: A Portrait of Edward Said,” by the French Emmanuel Hamon. The program ends on March 30, at 07:00 pm, with the screening of "The Syrian Bride," by Eran Riklis, produced in France, Germany and Israel. The film tells the story of a young Syrian woman who lives in a region occupied by Israel and who, after marrying a cousin from Damascus, will not be able to go back to her family.
The debate is an initiative of the Icarabe alongside other organisations, such as Centro Alceu Amoroso Lima para a Liberdade (CAALL), the Candido Mendes University and its Centre of Arab Studies, and Associação de Amigos do Dr. Alceu (AADA). Admittance is free and the screenings will take place at the FASE Cultural Centre –Casa Hercílio Esteves, of the Candido Mendes University.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
