The two-month festival opened on Sunday at the Yabous Cultural Centre in Israeli-annexed East Jerusalem with a heartfelt tribute to the late Lebanese musician Ziad Rahbani, a steadfast supporter of the Palestinian cause who passed away last year at age 69. The Jerusalem Arabic Music Ensemble performed a diverse selection of Rahbani's work, ranging from slow Arabic free-form vocal music to lively Levantine folk-pop, captivating the audience throughout the evening.

Resilience through culture

The festival's last edition took place in the summer of 2023, just months before the war in the Gaza Strip erupted following the October 7 attacks.

"We insist on coming back... Today we return to give people hope. The festival brings hope and brings people together," said musician Suheil Khoury, chairman of the board at the Yabous Cultural Centre.

Now spanning four decades, the festival is celebrating only its 30th edition due to a tumultuous history marked by multiple wars and the Palestinian intifadas of the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s, which repeatedly forced the event into hiatus.

Upcoming schedule and community response

The cultural celebration will continue through October 15, featuring a series of musical performances, cultural talks, and art exhibitions hosted at various venues across East Jerusalem.

Attendees expressed deep appreciation for the event's revival during a period of severe regional strain.

"Everyone is thirsty for this kind of gathering amid the difficult circumstances we are going through," said Mona al-Dajani, an academic researcher who attended the opening night. Local resident Moussa al-Qawasmi echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the community's determination to preserve its identity: "They don't want us to exist, but no, we are always ready... we will continue to celebrate, sing and dance."