We see them all over the world: children in war zones. For the children of Gaza, too, there is le7ally and figuratively no way out. They zi7en beside their dead mother or brother, their houses have been bombed and sometimes they are pulled out from under the rubble injured. They are on the run, but to where? There is hunger, thirst, the noise of planes and bombs and there is the fear. They are two or seven, they are 10 or 15. They are trying to survive the violence and death that surrounds them. There are many of them, as half of the 2.3 million people in Gaza are under 16.

In this chaos, the theatre-makers are still at work; in the overcrowded schools, in the reception camps of Rafah, Khan Younis and Deir el Balah, or just on the streets. They sit in a circle and let the children and young people speak. Or play when words fall short. In this way, they create a place where grief, loss and fear are shared. A place where sometimes there is laughter and everyone supports each other. Where children can relax and remember what it is like to be a child. If only for a moment ...

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They are the theatre-makers of Ayyam Al Masrah (Theatre Day Productions), founded by Jackie Lubeck and Jan Willems and now under the artistic direction of Rafat Alaydi and Mohammed Hissi. They are the theatre friends of many Dutch theatre makers, who have also worked at the theatre in Gaza City. And even though that theatre has been destroyed, they themselves are homeless and caring for their families, they continue to work.

And they need support!

NOW!

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