In Beirut, Al-Madina Theatre issues a statement calling for support. Below is the full text "Even in these difficult times that Lebanon is going through, revisited with all too familiar scenes of terror and anger; the displacement of hundreds of families, the theatre must retaliate during wartime as it did in peace. This involvement is not new, it was used by American protesters during the Vietnam War (Bread and Puppet Theatre) where bread was distributed to the audience during the spectacle, stressing the already communal aspect of theatre, but further including the audience in its protest. "Apart from the apparent destruction inflicted by the Israelis which we can see on television, the rubble of infrastructure, there is torment that remains unseen by the press, which cannot be documented because it has yet to show its face. It will when the children who are now being forced to leave one makeshift home after another, grow up, creating another generation of victims. "War interrupts the imagination, prioritizes reality. It's difficult enough for adults to dream under fire, but for petrified children the luxury is impossible. Theatre is the only place in these circumstances of an enduring collective imagination. The children in Al Madina Theatre will be allowed to resume being children. They can take part in different workshops that will nurture their creativity and allow them to forget, if only momentarily, the horrors just outside the door. In that time they might remember to hope and to conceive of tomorrow not just as another day to survive but also to live. "With the help of the theatre's supporters, Mohammad Farhat -- the theatre's head technician -- has organized daily workshops starting at 10:00 am including painting, theatre, puppet making, storytelling, educational programs, and films for children and adults. "Many artists are participating in the workshop including Mona Knio, Chérif Abdelnour, Hania Mroué, Hicham Kayéd, Moataz Dajjani and Nagy Souraty. "We invite anybody with children's books, drawing crayons, pencils, papers, toys or board games to spare to please send these items to Al Madina Theatre." For more information contact Mohammad Farhat, the event organizer at 00961 1 75 30 10/11(Beirut). Email: [email protected], or Jessy Kossaify at 0033 6 12 87 20 25 (Paris). Email: [email protected] You can contact Nidal Al-Achkar at 0033 6 84 87 32 04 (Paris). Email: [email protected] The Association of Al-Madina Theatre for Art and Culture, Hamra Street, Saroulla Bldg, Beirut. Lebanon Phone: 00961 1 75 30 10 / 11, Email: [email protected]
