WORDS RACHEL EDWARDS
With a large percentage of London feeling increasingly disillusioned with politics, the need for community based initiatives is greater than ever. Countless protests to end the ongoing genocide in Palestine have been ignored both by the government and the mainstream media and has led to a general feeling of helplessness. However, whilst our country might have attempted to hide it, the truth cannot be erased. It is in this vein that filmmaker and cultural activist Osama Qashoo decided to embark on a journey to create Palestine House, a new cultural centre in Central London.
Spread across five floors, Palestine House honours Palestinian culture with a year round events programme that includes film screenings, lectures, book readings, exhibitions and concerts. Qashoo, who moved to the UK seventeen years ago and describes the enterprise as the birth of a dream he's had since then, states “I want Palestine House to be a place where we can accumulate all of this pain and sorrow and convert it into strength and beauty. This house is for everyone, everyone is welcome at Palestine House.”
The building is currently being renovated to reflect the vibrancy of Palestinian culture and features colourful tiles and exposed stone walls. Above the main atrium hands a large wooden key, something that has become a symbol of exiled Palestinians.
Although two out of the five floors have been completed, there is still a long way to go to establish a fully-functioning venue and a crowdfunding campaign is underway with the goal of raising the £300,000 required to support the development and completion of the remaining three floors.
Writer and activist Lauren Booth, who is an active member of the Steering Group for Palestine House said: “This space will encourage and nurture great discussions and new works celebrating a global freedom and justice which invites all to unity.“ Alongside supporting Palestinian communities in London, the hub will also support communities on the ground in Palestine via charitable partnerships. German NGO Clean Shelter is the first of these partnerships and is helping to both fund and raise awareness for water and hygiene projects on the ground in Palestine.
For Qashoo, Palestine House isn't just about supporting Palestinians - after spending time traveling and speaking to marginalised people around the world, he discovered that the Palestinian flag is used as a symbol of resistance by many communities that are discriminated against: "Palestine House is for everyone... all those people from lands where they have been made into refugees and seek a sense of belonging. A place where we celebrate diversity and encourage difference to be our strength rather than our weakness.”
More information on Palestine House, or to make a donation here
