A community arts event held on Gaza’s seafront brought together women, children, and young people for cinema, music, folklore, and sports performances. The event aimed to create a safe space where women could step away from the psychological pressures of years of war and reconnect with culture, creativity, and physical activity.
Organized by the Shams Dance Troupe on Sunday, September 13, the event featured a screening of the Palestinian film Scream: When Art Becomes a Voice, a traditional musical performance, a hip-hop dance show by Campus Breakers, and a boxing demonstration presented by the Gaza Women’s Boxing Club.
Lian Al-Safatawi, who hosted the event, said the seafront was chosen to provide girls and women with an open space for art, sports, and self-expression after years of violence and displacement.
She explained that the event sought to remind women that life remains possible in Gaza and that they can return to activities they once enjoyed. The beach, often viewed by residents as one of the few remaining spaces for recreation and emotional release, was transformed into an open-air cinema and performance venue.
The screening featured Scream, a short Palestinian dance film directed by Jumana Daeibes and produced with the participation of women from Ramallah, Gaza, and Egypt, alongside girls from the Gaza Women’s Boxing Club.
The film first premiered in Gaza at the Holst Theatre in December 2025. It was later screened in Ramallah and at international festivals, including events in Italy, in 2026. The film highlights the Palestinian people’s struggle and presents art as a means of resistance, documentation, and survival.
“The People of Gaza Love Life”
Palestinian artist Rola Daloul performed traditional Palestinian songs with a group of young women during the event.
She emphasized the importance of these songs in preserving Palestinian heritage, passing it between generations, expressing suffering, and sharing moments of joy. Palestinian mothers have continued to teach the songs to their daughters, allowing younger generations to preserve them and include them in cultural gatherings and evening events.
Daloul said the large turnout of women, children, and young people reflected the community’s desire to attend artistic and sporting activities despite transportation difficulties and the challenging circumstances.
She added that the people of Gaza love life, call for peace, and continue to see hope in the future despite the hardships surrounding them.
Boxing Creates Space for Women and Girls
Farah Abu Al-Qamsan, a boxer who participated in the event, said she joined the Gaza Women’s Boxing Club through the short film and the boxing performance presented by the club’s girls.
She explained that the club’s founder, Rima Abu Rahma, established the initiative to create a safe environment where women and girls could practice sports and learn self-defense.
Abu Al-Qamsan encouraged women to begin practicing the sports they enjoy without being limited by social restrictions or other obstacles.
Although the club faces shortages in sports equipment and other resources, it tries to provide training opportunities for women and children free of charge. Abu Al-Qamsan said she was happy to take part in the event and receive encouragement from the audience on Gaza’s beach, a place that holds special meaning for her.
Cinema Documents Gaza’s Stories and Experiences
Asil Al-Wadiya, one of the attendees, said she came to watch the film, the music performance, and the boxing demonstration.
She described the event as an opportunity to temporarily disconnect from the reality of Gaza, including bombing, killing, and destruction. For her, the presence of cinema in Gaza after three years of war was especially meaningful because film has documented many stories, experiences, and crimes throughout the conflict.
Al-Wadiya said cinema can present Gaza from more than a perspective of destruction. It can also highlight the city’s beauty and the many stories held by its people.
She noted that organizing a cultural and recreational event under such conditions was far from easy, given the challenges related to electricity, internet access, transportation, and the availability of necessary materials.
Despite these obstacles, she said, such events encourage women and girls to participate in cultural and artistic activities and provide them with a much-needed opportunity to breathe, gather, and reclaim moments of normal life.
