Despite the ongoing violence and destruction in Gaza, artists there are holding onto hope and continuing to create. In a place where death, displacement, and suffering are everyday realities, many people are finding strength through their art, showing the world a story of resilience and survival.
Amid the ruins of homes and broken streets, Gaza’s artists are refusing to let their culture fade. A 17-year-old uses homemade charcoal from burned wood to draw on the side of a tent, capturing the feeling of a people in crisis. A 45-year-old dad paints alongside his son while living in a shelter, turning their temporary home into a place of creativity. A Palestinian calligraphy artist adds vibrant colors to tents where displaced people have taken refuge, reminding them that life can still be beautiful, even in the darkest times.
And the impact isn’t just staying in Gaza. Palestinian singer Elyanna is currently on a world tour with Coldplay, performing in Arabic and dedicating every song to the people back home in Gaza. Her voice is spreading the story of her people across the globe, showing the world that no matter how hard the struggle, the Palestinian spirit can never be silenced.
For more than 76 years, Palestinian culture has been under constant threat from the occupation, which has led to displacement and destruction. The current war has only intensified this struggle, with over 61,700 Palestinians already killed. Yet, Gaza’s artists continue to fight back with their work, using their craft as a way to endure and resist. They’ve turned their pain into something powerful, telling the world that even in the worst of times, they will not be forgotten.
One such artist is Mahdi Karira, a puppet maker who has turned old tin cans into figurines. Before the war, Karira used to perform with his colorful puppets in theatres. Now, after Israeli airstrikes forced him to flee Gaza City, he performs for displaced families in camps. His work is a symbol of hope for children who have lost everything, offering them a moment of joy amid the devastation.
Though many of Gaza’s cultural landmarks, including art centers and museums, have been destroyed, the people’s creativity remains unbroken. With limited resources, Gaza’s artists continue to create. Their art is seen as a testament to the will to survive, the will to resist, and the will to keep telling their story.
