"The Sea is Ours".. The Story of Palestinian Art Rising from the Ruins of Gaza
A community initiative called "The Sea is Ours" in Gaza seeks to address environmental and social issues through arts and storytelling amid ongoing crisis.
In Gaza, amidst the ongoing war, blockades, and worsening humanitarian crises, community initiatives are emerging to break the cycle of pain through unconventional methods such as art, storytelling, and recycling. One such initiative is the cooperative "The Sea is Ours," which aims to transform daily issues into narratives that can lead to genuine behavioral change within individuals and the community. The cooperative offers a creative approach to raising awareness and encouraging social participation among residents.
According to Hanaa Al-Ghul, the leader of the "The Sea is Ours" cooperative, the initiative utilizes storytelling, theater, music, and various art forms to simplify environmental and social issues, making them relatable to the daily lives of the people. By converting these issues into stories, the initiative not only facilitates understanding but also deepens the impact of these challenges, fostering a sense of shared responsibility towards their environment and living space.
Al-Ghul highlighted that the cooperative employs a participatory leadership approach and community organization, forming teams to identify and address problems through community arts. This method proves to be an effective tool in illuminating responsibilities towards pressing local issues, making art a vehicle for change in a region greatly affected by conflict and deprivation.