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Palestinian Arabs

Palestinian Artist Randa Jarrar Brings Revolutionary Solo Performance to Edinburgh Fringe

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Randa Jarrar, a Palestinian artist, marks her first solo show at the Edinburgh Fringe with "The Last Palestinian Alive". This sci-fi performance, set in 2055, tells the story of a Palestinian woman who awakens to find herself the last person alive, accompanied by an AI companion modelled after UN special rapporteur Francesca Albanese. The show tackles themes of genocide, survival, and numbness, but also highlights Palestinian ingenuity and resilience in the face of adversity.

Key Takeaways:

  • Jarrar's performance is a first for her, being her first solo show, first time in Scotland, and first time at the Edinburgh Fringe.
  • "The Last Palestinian Alive" is part of the Welcome to the Fringe, Palestine, a mini-festival showcasing Palestinian art with freedom and without censorship.
  • Jarrar draws inspiration from Palestinian folklore, which she describes as "weird and futuristic and ancient all at the same time".
  • The show is inspired by Palestinian people's history of using innovation and mutual aid to survive in the face of outside forces.
  • Jarrar cites speculative fiction writers like Octavia Butler as an influence, highlighting women's and queer stories of survival and community resilience.
  • Censorship has played a significant role in Jarrar's work, including a doxxing campaign and physical removal from an event hosted by PEN America due to protesting a pro-Israel celebrity's inclusion.
  • Jarrar withdrew from the Edinburgh International Book Festival after the festival dropped a sponsor with ties to Israel and fossil fuel firms.
  • The performance aims to provide a space for audiences to feel, grieve, and move, and to learn about Palestinian art, culture, and characters.
  • For Jarrar, the show is an opportunity to share Palestinian stories and promote community resilience and mutual aid.
  • Jarrar has cited the following sources of inspiration:

+ Octavia Butler, speculative fiction writer

+ Palestinian folklore

+ Her own experiences with censorship and doxxing campaigns

  • Jarrar has been involved with PEN America for nearly 20 years before her removal from the event.

Statistics:

  • Jarrar's show, "The Last Palestinian Alive", is part of Welcome to the Fringe, Palestine, a mini-festival with a program of Palestinian art.
  • The UN's special rapporteur, Francesca Albanese, is modelled after in Jarrar's AI companion in the show.
  • At least 200 Palestinian journalists have been killed, with their stories often overlooked.
  • Baillie Gifford was dropped as a sponsor of the Edinburgh International Book Festival after visitors and authors threatened to boycott due to alleged links to Israel and fossil fuel firms.

Sources:

  • "The Last Palestinian Alive" performance at the Edinburgh Fringe
  • Welcome to the Fringe, Palestine, mini-festival
  • PEN America
  • Edinburgh International Book Festival
  • Palestinian folklore
  • Octavia Butler's speculative fiction work
  • Randa Jarrar's experiences with censorship and doxxing campaigns

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