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The State of Israel was formed in 1948. Within fourteen months 369 Palestinian villages were eradicated*. Their inhabitants dispersed mainly into the Middle East and are still denied the Right to Return to their homeland. These villagers and their descendants form a growing displaced Palestinian Diaspora.
In Memorial Service - 369 Villages three Palestinian
voices recite the names of all the villages. Oreet’s character, based
on an Israeli army general, shreds 369 envelopes with the names of the villages
written on them. In parallel, a projection of a continuously shifting map displays
the radical geopolitical effects of the evacuation of the Palestinian villages.
Between the voices that bring the names of the villages to life and the mechanical
sound of the shredder, which eradicates them in a symbolically official manner,
Mikhail sings. He employs traditional mourning vocal techniques, which distort
language and break his voice. His compositions are inspired by a number of
diasporic communities’ folk songs world wide.
This performance took place at the Great Hall, Queen Mary University, London, as part of Performing Rights PSi#12 on 16/06/2006.
* In total around 480 villages were eradicated over the following years.
Memorial Service - 369 Villages is part of Welcome Home, A Gathering for Those Who Are Not Allowed to Return, including Palestinian folk dancing, a film programme, soldiers, banners and food.
