Egyptian artists raise funds for Palestinian children at exhibition

Record ID: 1618362

  • Title: Egyptian artists raise funds for Palestinian children at exhibition
  • Date: 27th May 2021
  • Summary: CAIRO, EGYPT (MAY 25, 2021) (REUTERS) PEOPLE GATHERING AND CHECKING OUT PAINTINGS AT 'ART TALKS' GALLERY AS PART OF "DOKO AL-JIDRAN" (ARABIC FOR "KNOCK ON THE WALLS") EXHIBITION, AIMED TO RAISE FUNDS FOR PALESTINIAN CHILDREN VARIOUS OF EXHIBITED ARTWORKS (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) FOUNDER OF 'ART TALKS' GALLERY, FATENN KANAFANI, SAYING: "We are talking about 60 Egyptian artists and one Palestinian artist (participating in the exhibition) with 90 artworks, as some artists contributed with more than one painting. All the money that we will hopefully raise will be donated to Ghassan Kanafani Cultural Foundation, which was established in 1974 and aims to help Palestinian children culturally and scientifically, and helps them start their lives again." VARIOUS OF EXHIBITED PAINTING VARIOUS OF PEOPLE CHECKING PAINTINGS AT THE EXHIBITION (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) FOUNDER OF 'ART TALKS' GALLERY, FATENN KANAFANI, SAYING: "It is clear that up until now, especially these days, that the Palestinian cause will always be in the heart of Egyptian artists no matter what happens, and those Egyptian artists will stand with the cause either by drawing it, by talking in its name or by donating a painting. One day, I think, we will all walk together until we reach Jerusalem, the capital of Palestine, together." VARIOUS OF PAINTINGS ON DISPLAY PEOPLE CHECKING PAINTINGS WOMAN TAKING PICTURE OF PAINTING (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) EGYPTIAN ARTIST PARTICIPATING IN THE EXHIBITION, AHMED EZZAT, SAYING: "Artists have sensitivities like the rest of society, and maybe more due to their dedication to observing and trying to express themselves. People are increasingly growing impatient with the problems (around the Palestinian cause) that we see, for more than 70 years. We are trying to find ways to live in peace, to solve the issue and stop the violence." PAINTING ON DISPLAY PEOPLE CHECKING PAINTINGS (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) EGYPTIAN ARTIST PARTICIPATING IN THE EXHIBITION, AMANY RAMSIS, SAYING: "This is a voice of anger from us all as Egyptian artists, it is not sympathy with the Palestinian cause, but more of extreme anger because we all have a human consciousness, Muslims, Christians, and Jews." EXHIBITION VISITOR CHECKING PAINTINGS
  • Embargoed: 10th June 2021 14:26
  • Keywords: Egypt Israel Palestinians art exhibition fundraising
  • Location: CAIRO, EGYPT
  • City: CAIRO, EGYPT
  • Country: Egypt
  • Topics: Art,Arts/Culture/Entertainment,Middle East
  • Reuters ID: LVA001EEQM4WL
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: 60 Egyptian and one Palestinian artists are donating proceedings from their artworks, currently on display at a Cairo exhibition, to support the educational and cultural development of children living in the Palestinian territories.
    Founder of 'Art Talks' gallery in Cairo's upscale Zamalek neighbourhood, Fatenn Kanafani, called on artists who usually exhibit their artworks at her institution to donate some of their works to Palestinian children. She was surprised when tens of artists responded, some "with more than one painting".
    The reaction to her call, she says, was fuelled with recent violence that escalated earlier this month between Palestinians and Israel.
    The 11 days of violence left at least 253 people killed in Gaza and more than 1,900 wounded, according to Palestinian health authorities. The Israeli military put the death toll in Israel at 13, with hundreds treated for injuries.
    Artists will donate all or some of the proceedings to the Lebanon-based Ghassan Kanafani Cultural Foundation. The funds will support Palestinian children in Gaza and the West Bank, specifically with their cultural and educational development after the conflict, organisers said.
    The exhibition is entitled "Doko al-Jidran", Arabic for "Knock on the walls", and is named after a popular metaphor used in a novel written by renowned late Palestinian author and journalist Ghassan Kanafani, organisers said.
    The exhibition will run until all the 90 artworks are sold, Kanafani said. Prices per one painting range between 500 Egyptian pounds ($32) and 500,000 Egyptian pounds ($31,800).
    (Production: Ahmed Fahmy, Mai Shams El-Din)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2021. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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