Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, August 2009, pages 52-53
Music & Arts
Gazan Children Create Anti-War Slogans
 |
|
ITALIAN artist, author and designer aleXsandro Palombo, who has a soft spot for children who are victims of war, has turned his attention and talents to Gaza. Palombo founded a spiritual activist brand called “Palombology,” which blends art with cultural movements to create unique designs. In May 2009, he launched a campaign of “peace, love and hope,” and asked Gazan children to create slogans against war, hatred and violence. Palombology uses T-shirts, slogans and illustrations to promote faith and awareness, integration and dialogue between cultures. Palombology is also committed to aid through charity: and for every T-shirt purchased, part of the sale goes to an International NGO in aid of children who are victims of war conflicts.
Palombo’s Gaza campaign will help disadvantaged children attending the Remedial Education Center (REC), a Palestinian NGO in Jabalya, which provides psychological and educational support to children who are victims of the conflict in the Gaza Strip. Palombo knows that REC and other facilities are overwhelmed as they try to help children with psychological and learning difficulties resulting from living in a war zone.
REC operates three specialized centers which serve 500 children and carries out activities in all the area’s primary schools, reaching over 6,000 children.
According to REC director Husam Hamdouna, “The children in the Gaza Strip account for 50 percent of the Palestinian population. More than 322 were killed in the last Israeli raids, and hundreds more lost everything: their family, home, clothes, toys, books and school.” Hamdouna welcomed Palombo’s artistic project, which, he said, “is giving our children a voice.”
Children in Gaza responded to Palombo’s invitation with enthusiasm and created a series of clear simple messages, including:
We are Children for life not for death;
Keep wars away from us;
I give you a branch of olive, give me a kiss;
We love the children of the world so love us;
We are your friends be our friends; and
Give me a smile instead of a bullet.
Palombo added some images of his own, which document the tragedy of Gazan children fleeing from Israeli raids or living under Israeli occupation. “With love from Israel” is the title of one sketch Palombo created, portraying a scene taken from real life: Israeli girls writing messages on bombs which will be dropped on Lebanon [see original photo p. 18 of Sept/Oct 2006 issue]. Another image shows Israeli soldiers searching a child’s backpack while another child clasps a T-shirt which says, “I’m a child, not a terrorist.”
“War against childhood is unacceptable on all fronts,” Palombo stated. “Solitude, misery, depression, aggressiveness and fear are just some of the problems which afflict them, and through artistic activities a lot can be done to rekindle their dreams and imagination. Only by giving voice to their wishes can we build a future of peace.”
The slogans by the children of Gaza and a series of illustrations by aleXsandro Palombo can be viewed on the Web site <www.palombology.com>, in the special projects section. T-shirts are available for retail sale to stores.
Those wishing to directly support REC can send a contribution to: Remedial Education Center, Bank of Palestine P.L.CNO.89, Branch Jabalya No. 453, Swift code: PALSPS22, Account number 80599, Gaza Strip—Jabalya. For more information, contact < This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. >.
—Delinda Hanley
