(Monday, May 4)It's the day after the Music for Gaza event we had been planning for 2 months. The energy whilst preparing, both on as well as offline, was one of positive enthusiasm, also evoked by the feedback found in Facebook on international level.
First impressions.
We had a few setbacks in the last hours before Sunday... the dancers had to cancel due to injuries and the DJ had to rush to a hospital out in the west because his girlfriend was involved in a serious accident. Imagine how he tried to find someone else who could replace him and for him to feel bad for not being able to make Music for Gaza.. all this on his way to the hospital... A fine example of someone who faced grief in his personal life and was still worried about the commitment he made to our event and as such, the Palestinian children in Gaza. Commendable! We wish them well!
We had everything ready and arranged. There were exquisite Arabic cookies, Gaza-related cultural documentaries in the cafe via the beamer, a panel discussion with interesting guests, a huge collection of CD's and LP's and 8 bands for the benefit concert.
But there weren't many people, despite newspaper articles, press releases, a radio-interview and links on various websites.
It was a shame for the bands, who all gave it their very best when performing, even if there weren't that many in the audience. It's their professional attitude that deserves respect for sure! For the discussion panel likewise, Max Arian (Jewish), Aissa Meziani (muslem), Merlijn Twaalfhoven and Mohammed Benzakour (muslem). They engaged in a lively and interesting conversation about Gaza, music, politics, hope and reality, even for just a dozen of spectators in the audience. Experience was exchanged, new valuable contacts were made and as one of the bands pointed out later that day, "it's the quality of the audience, not the quantity that counts."
The CD-exchange fair continued in its own rhythm all day and became a playground for those who could browse comfortably without anyone breathing down their neck looking for something special and wanting the same disc. A bandmember of The Mondays, the jazz group that opened the benefit concert, found a dozen or so CD's of jazz musicians who were his teachers at various conservatoria in the Netherlands. He was very thrilled to have found these albums!
A guy who runs a second hand CD shop happened to stroll by, saw the sign out front and asked what it was all about. CD fair? He had a field day and left with about 150 CD's, feeling very very lucky. He'll stay in touch for future references and might become a partner or someone we can work with.
Music for Gaza also turned into a musicians playing for musicians gig, and people had fun anyhow.
There was food, snacks and for the production manager of the facility a smoothly-run event.
If we think in perspectives of different levels, we can still be happy with what we achieved with this 4th Music for Gaza event. We didn't score a huge audience or thousands of euros, but those who attended donated about 500 euros for the Palestinian children and music projects.
Gaza is not as high-profiled in the media anymore as it was in January, so people in general have turned to their latest flavour or disaster of the month. It may sound harsh, but it's the simple truth. One of the visitors didn't hesitate to pay the entrance fee, but when I asked him to sign a petition to break down the wall, or to leave his emailaddress for newsletters, he said it was too much trouble reading all that serious stuff and that he was fine with it the way it was.
To pay an entrance fee for a good cause, without wanting to learn more was enough.
Mohammed Benzakour, a Dutch-Moroccan (Berber) publicist-columnist-writer, pointed out why he distanced himself from engaging in national mediawide discussions about the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. (He's been the only one who spoke up openly in January asking what the Netherlands were going to do about Israel's conduct and policy).
Because the current political climate in the Netherlands is not one that is interested in learning about the humanitarian aspects and suffering of the Palestinian people. They insist on supporting Israel, no matter what. Politicians are not prepared to make a stand or form an honest opinion, so why bother to offer one as a publicist if those who can change it in formalities, don't?
So yes, it's up to grassroots organizations and personal endeavours to help Palestine recover from its wounds and provide individual enlightenment of the mind, soul and spirit where possible. Music and culture can bring relief to individuals and groups, even though it may not free the Palestinians as a people. But it can strengthen their energy to persevere with endurance and tenacity as they have proven to be able to do already.
So, we will persevere with them. The journey of Music for Gaza continues. There will be a 5th event, so stay tuned :-)
