Our Story
As told by founder Mohammad Khader.
Translation by Vineetha Mokkil
My friend Yusef Khader and I, both born and brought up in Gaza, started the Free Gaza Circus in 2018. We also opened a school in Northern Gaza to train youngsters called the Free Gaza Circus Center. Circus culture is practically non-existent in Gaza. Youngsters in Gaza were watching circus performances on social media.
We knew they were enjoying this.
So we thought, why not have a circus group in our homeland?
Our Why
Our Mission: The Free Gaza Circus was created to offer Palestinian youth a space to explore, connect with their community, and experience freedom through circus arts. A place where young people can be unselfconscious and freely express themselves through their bodies.
Before The War: We had 180 students during the school year. In the summer break, there were over 2,000 students at the Centre. They were of all ages, from ten-year-old well into their teens, all very excited to learn and perform.
Wartime: We had to evacuate to the south. Our group got scattered. We lost track of our students. A few of us ended up at Jabalia camp and regrouped. We heard that the Centre was badly damaged in an Israeli attack but there is no way to know for sure.
Now, we entertain the children (and adults) at the camp.
FOR THE CHILDREN
We also encourage them to do movement activities along with us. This helps to release the fear and negative energy they have been bottling up inside because of the war.
We gather athletic people as we move from camp to camp. So, our group is growing these days. We have performed at many of the UN Relief and Works Agency schools where displaced Palestinians are living today.
We will continue to do this as long as we are here. The war can’t stop us.
”I like it when the children’s faces light up. When we perform for them, we hope that it takes their minds off the horrible violence that they have seen and suffered. Forget the bomb strikes and ruined homes. Forget the tears they have shed. It distracts them from what is going on and gives them a sense of safety. We give them a feeling of freedom for at least a few minutes. It may be just a feeling, it may not be real, but we are happy to entertain them as the war rages on outside.
