Musicians in Gaza persevere in pursuit of their art, despite the devastation left by the Israel-Gaza conflict
In the heart of Gaza City, music lessons are being offered in makeshift tents and shell-pocked buildings, as the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music continues its mission amidst ongoing conflict and bombardment. The conservatory, once housed in a building now reduced to ruins, has seen its old home crumble, but its spirit remains unbroken.
The conservatory, founded in the West Bank, has been a cultural lifeline for Gaza since it opened a branch there 13 years ago. Despite the destruction of its main facility due to Israel's bombardments, classes have been relocated to temporary spaces, where students gather to practice carefully preserved instruments.
The music scene in Gaza City has suffered greatly, with violence claiming the lives of many, including promising talents like 14-year-old violinist Lubna Alyaan. Yet, survivors and teachers emphasize the deep emotional and cultural significance of music. Instruments, they say, are companions that embody the soul of the player.
Music remains a vital glimmer of hope for Gaza’s youth, who sing both traditional Palestinian laments reflecting generational displacement and play Arabic as well as Western pieces, holding on to their cultural identity amid devastation.
Young musicians like 15-year-old Rifan al-Qassas, who learned the oud at age 9, find solace in music. Rifan states that music gives him hope and eases his fear. Mohammed Abu Mahadi, a guitar teacher, believes that music can help heal Gazans psychologically from the pain of bombardments, loss, and shortages.
Despite severe shortages, students and teachers continue to attend classes, overcoming weakness from food shortages to keep their musical heritage alive. Sarah al-Suwairki, 20, who loves learning the guitar and is particularly into rock music, says hunger and fatigue sometimes make it difficult to walk the short distance to her two music classes each week.
Outside the music teachers' tent, Gaza City is in a state of crumbling concrete, with residents crammed into shelters or camps with little food, clean water, or medical aid. Yet, within the confines of these makeshift classrooms, a spirit of resilience and preservation thrives.
The project, supported by Elizabeth Coombes, who directs a music therapy program at Britain's University of South Wales, aims to help young people cope with trauma and stress and strengthen their sense of belonging.
Despite the loss of life, destruction of facilities, and scarcity of instruments, Gaza’s young musicians strive to keep their musical heritage alive as an act of resilience and preservation in the midst of war. They dream of performing abroad one day, like Al-Qassas, and continue to use music as a beacon of hope in the darkest of times.
[1] The New York Times, "In Gaza, Music Lessons Amid the Ruins", Aug. 4, 20XX. [2] The Guardian, "Gaza's music teachers play on amid the bombardment", Aug. 12, 20XX.
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