London -

With huge Palestinian flags, the gate of a covered hall welcomes you in the Harrow area of ​​the British capital, London, which hosts the activities of the Palestine Festival, which the Palestinian Forum used to organize at the “Expo” in Britain every year.

As soon as you enter the hall, all the Palestinian cultural and heritage symbols appear in front of you, such as flags, keffiyeh, keys to return, traditional dress, food, and introductory activities on Palestinian culture.

The organizers focused on the cultural aspect of this session, in order to "ensure to perpetuate the Palestinian narrative among the new generation of Palestinians who may have never seen Palestine, but it is present with them," according to the head of the Palestinian Forum, Zaher Al-Birawi.

The festival was attended by a number of British personalities who are considered a friend of Palestine, among them the former leader of the Labor Party Jeremy Corbyn, who participated in a speech that reminded the attendees of his strong words whenever he participates in any activity related to Palestine, and the attendees greeted "Peace be upon you", while the attendees chanted his name.

Jeremy Corbyn's speech at the Palestine Festival in Britain (Al Jazeera)

Palestine friend

Jeremy Corbyn, in his interview with Al Jazeera Net, focused on the importance of the cultural character of the festival, and the importance of keenness to highlight the Palestinian cultural identity. A Palestinian insistence to end the occupation and freedom for the Palestinians.

Corbyn does not hide his pride that he was one of the first to pledge to recognize the state of Palestine in the event of reaching the premiership.

The British political leader stressed that popular solidarity with Palestine is increasing in Britain and other European countries, and said, "This is thanks to the existence of a successful and clear policy of definition and solidarity with Palestine, and a few months ago we saw how hundreds of thousands of people came out for solidarity with Palestine, and I was there. And it was amazing.”

Corbin expressed his admiration for the enthusiasm shown by the Palestinian youth in publicizing and defending their cause, and said, "I am very happy to be among them."

Angle of pictures and expressive drawings that explain the suffering of the Palestinian people under occupation (Al-Jazeera)

war of novels

The organizers were keen to attend all forms of Palestinian heritage in food, clothing and art, and the reason for this keenness is - according to the head of the Palestinian Forum Zaher Al-Birawi - "to maintain the Palestinian narrative present in the face of the occupation's attempts to rob everything that is Palestinian."

Al-Birawi added that "this year's festival comes in a distinct way that conveys the participants to Palestine, its heritage, its popular dishes, its songs, its embroideries, its fragrant oil, its thyme and its sage," noting that the goal "is to connect the new generation of children and youth - who have never visited Palestine - with their country, The majority of the attendees were young people, and this shows the connection of this generation to Palestine, even if it is far from it physically.”

For his part, festival director Adnan Humaidan considered that "the message of Dabke and Falafel is far from the idea of ​​folk dance and traditional food, as Israel is making an extraordinary effort to attribute them to it in order to confirm the idea of ​​establishing it on a land without a people or identity as it claims, and accordingly, we do not say that we will liberate Palestine with them." But we will win it in the battle of identity and preserving history.”

Jordanian artist Tony Kattan was one of the most prominent participants in the Palestine Festival in London (Al Jazeera) with his traditional songs.

art language

A Palestinian festival is not without the famous Dabke dance, which has turned into a global symbol that the Palestinian carries with him wherever he goes. The one who praises the land and its owners.

As for the Jordanian artist Tony Kattan, who participated in the festival by performing a number of Palestinian heritage songs, he stressed during his interview with Al Jazeera Net the "importance of art in keeping the Palestinian cause alive in the conscience of all peoples," saying that "art is a universal language that everyone understands, easy to spread and influence, Therefore, the artistic and cultural aspects of the battle for awareness and preservation of Palestinian identity must not be overlooked.

The Jordanian artist expressed his admiration for the great connection that Palestinian youth and children have with their cause and their land, and said, "It is true that many of them did not visit Palestine, but I was surprised by the extent of their connection to their cause and their knowledge of all its details and their keenness on its heritage symbols. Everyone was keen to wear the traditional Palestinian dress and the keffiyeh."

Qattan stressed that Palestinian art possesses all the ingredients “in order to reach the world, and I think that everyone who works in this art must have his constant concern to deliver it to the whole world, of course with priority also being given to always staying strong and present in the Arab arena, because it is the first incubator for everything He is a Palestinian artist and heritage.