VISIT BETHLEHEM
CREATED BY THE FREEDOM THEATRE
& ARTISTS ON THE FRONTLINE
“Generations of Palestinian children… have seen their lives reduced to the bare minimum
and, far too often, cut short as expendable."
- Francesca Albanese
UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Palestine
As part of Francesca Albanese’s latest UN report, she interviewed those of all ages, on childhood and growing up in Jenin Camp.
From fear of being killed, to generational trauma and the power of theatre, each day we will share a new audio snapshot, inspired by those interviews.
Cartoon by Mohammad Saba’aneh
With thanks to
Francesca Albanese, Sara Troian, Forensic Architecture, and a team of volunteers from or with heritage from Palestine, Iraq, Egypt, Lebanon and Jordan.
THE BOY WITH THE GOLDEN HEART
Written by Ranin Odeh in response to the murder of 17-year-old Mahmoud Al-Sadi, who was shot by the Israeli army on his way to school. Mahmoud was a student and participant at The Freedom Theatre
Words of Ranin Odeh, Child & Youth Program Coordinator, The Freedom Theatre
Read by Shereen Zoumot
TO DIE & NOT BE REMEMBERED
Beginning with his experiences from the July 2023 invasion, Ahmed tells of his fears of death, wanting to be remembered and fighting for his voice to be heard.
Words of Ahmed 14 years old
Read by Amir Abualrob
I WISH I COULD GO BACK TO LAUGHING
Rwanda Arqawi dives into happy memories of the young boys in the camp who loved to laugh and participate at The Freedom Theatre. Years later many of them are targeted by the Israeli army have arrested or killed.
Words of Rwanda Arqawi, Former Acting School Coordinator at The Freedom Theatre and current Executive Director of Fragments Theatre
Read by Nada Sabet
OUR PARENTS ARE AFRAID
Salma, 15 years old loses her shyness and finds her voice, speaking up about fear, invasions and children who have been killed.
Words of Salma, 15 years old
Reader remains Anonymous
WE CHECK OUR SOULS
Mustafa journeys through the emotional cost of attacks and invasions and the pain inflicted on the community when the life of a young person is stolen by the Israeli army.
Words of Mustafa Sheta, Producer of
The Freedom Theatre
Read by Hassan Abdulrazzak
OUR MESSAGE TO THE WORLD
Finding his power in the theatre Wadia 16 years old, delivers his message to the world.
Words of Wadia 16 years old,
Reader remains Anonymous
CONTINUING THE JOURNEY OF THOSE KILLED
On 3rd November 26-year-old Jehad Naghniyeh Torokman who had grown up in The Freedom Theatre, was murdered by the Israeli Army. On the same night 17-year-old Yamen Mahmoud Nabil Jarrar a student of the Child & Youth Program was also killed.
In this moment of grief, the courage and words of this 14-year-old participant of The Freedom Theatre are an inspiration. For her safety, she remains anonymous.
Words of anonymous speaker, 14-years-old
Reader remains Anonymous
A GENERATION OF LEADERS
Working with you people in The Freedom Theatre Ranin must constantly consider their safety even as attacks take place. In this snapshot, she recalls the moment exactly a year ago, when the Israeli army invaded as she was taking a workshop with the children.
Words of Ranin Odeh, Child & Youth Program Coordinator, The Freedom Theatre
Read by Shereen Zoumot
WE DO NOT GET TO CHOOSE
A teenager during the 2nd Intifada, Tobasi describes the 2002 invasion of Jenin Camp. Under constant attacks, facing death and destruction, he asks what choices young people are left with.
Read by & the Words of Ahmed Tobasi, Artistic Director of The Freedom Theatre
IT WAS A SIMPLE LIFE
Suzan recalls a simple childhood growing up in Jenin Refugee Camp until the 2nd Intifada began in 2002. With bombardments, shooting and invasions she soon began to learn what occupation was
Words of Suzan Al-Haj Saleh
Read by Micalea Miranda
I AM BECOMING STRONGER
Adam speaks of his passion for theatre, his fears the theatre might be bombed and his dream of writing a novel.
Words of Adam Age 13 years old
Read by Amir Abualrob