Masarat

MASARAT

Country: Palestine

Project initiated in: 2008

Presented by: Wallonie-Bruxelles International (WBI)

Partners: WBI, the European Cultural Centre “Les Halles de Schaerbeek”, local Palestinian partners, the General Delegation of Palestine in Brussels, and, through the latter, a series of cultural and university structures.

Project budget: EUR 1 147 000

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// Context

This initiative forms part of the cooperation between Wallonia-Brussels and Palestine, which is one of the 12 priority partners of the French-speaking Community and the Walloon Region in the southern countries.

Modelled on African programmes (Yambi, Alafia, etc.), in the autumn of 2008 WBI developed a programme of artistic encounters in all areas, aimed at enhancing links between contemporary artists at various sites in Brussels and Wallonia.

// Project objectives

Given the tensions faced by the Palestinian population, WBI wanted to allow Palestinian artists from all disciplines to create in Brussels and Wallonia. This was not only about discovering the wealth of Palestinian contemporary art, but also offering Palestinian artists the chance to express their collective identity and diversity.

// Action and Impact

MASARAT Palestine has achieved its primary objectives: portray a different image of Palestine through its most contemporary artists; present this country in another light, by going beyond the over-used images of current events, terrorism or victimisation.

Projects in the areas of visual art, theatre, dance, music, photography, debating and youth have been organised in Brussels, Wallonia, Flanders and France.

Some of the key figures are:

- 218 cultural activities, including 55 in the area of cinema

- 133 Palestinian artists invited

- Public attendance: 40 794 people in total have attended the following cultural events, among others:

• 2 160 people – performing arts 
• 541 people – dance 
• 8 048 people – music 
• 2 344 people – conferences + debating 
• 274 people – literature 
• 3 517 people – multidisciplinary 
• 19 861 people – plastic arts 
• 519 people – design 
• 3 530 people – visual arts 
• Visits to the website: 26 522 visits

- Communication:

• 237 articles published (Belgium, France, Palestine)
• 24 television broadcasts (which have talked about Masarat, had artists as guests or devoted the whole broadcast to Masarat)
• 26 radio broadcasts.

The project has a long-term aim, but has already left its mark through discussions and reports on Palestinian contemporary art, and also improved human relations. Collaborations with artists have been continued by partners beyond the project duration.

Certain exhibitions set up within Masarat have been displayed in Palestine: Ramallah, Jerusalem, Naplouse, etc. In this way Palestinians have been able to study important cultural accounts.

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