This week saw the Palestinian Food Festival at DiverCity Hub, Newcastle organised by North East Friends of Al Aqsa – Palestinian Food festival. The event saw over 110 people gather to celebrate Palestinian culture, cuisine, dress, poetry, and art.
The attendees celebrated in true Palestinian hospitality with authentic Palestinian cuisine, prepared by Wafi Lounge & Restaurant Hussam Wafi Mohammed Wafi Samo Montana and our other fellow Palestinian comrades, including three local Palestinian women. They auctioned art, watched cinema, admired authentic Palestinian attire, and shared the spoken word, which included speeches from local Palestinians.
The event was co-hosted by Anya Cook and Chandni Chopra
Celebration of culture
Last night was a true celebration of culture, alongside our Palestinian neighbours living in the North East! This cultural event would not have been brought together without the generous assistance of JasWinder Singh and Monjer Rashid.
With all profits made being donated to Medical Aid for Palestinians Palestine (MAP) we collectively raised an astonishing £723! MAP works for the health and dignity of Palestinians living under brutal Isreali occupation and as refugees, through providing medical aid and ensuring the development of a long term health care system. We also raised £400 for Friends of Al Aqsa (FOA) – have been at the forefront of campaigning for Palestine for 25 years and are the most-followed anti-apartheid organisation in the UK.
Attendee Rae White said:
“It was a great night especially great it was a celebration not a commemoration, which they usually are!”
Identity
Co-host Anya Cook said:
“When propaganda denies identity, when food, dancing, costume and culture is appropriated, the simplest and most powerful thing we can do, we can all do, is to keep retelling those stories and keep those voices and stories alive”.
Clare Bethell said:
“It was a great night – moving film, delicious food, good speeches, and a great atmosphere.”
The organisers would like to thank all those who contributed, no matter how great or small, to host the North East’s, first ever Palestinian food festival”
