Galway’s Palestinian and Irish communities will come together for a vibrant evening of culture, music, and solidarity at ‘A Taste of Palestine’, a fundraising event taking place at the Galway Rowing Club on Sunday, April 6.
The event promises an immersive celebration of Palestinian heritage, featuring live performances, traditional dance, poetry, art, and authentic cuisine—all in support of humanitarian efforts in Gaza.
A night of music, poetry, and dance
The lineup includes some of Galway’s finest musicians, such as the Barcelo Brothers, singer-songwriters Sailhymn, Sharon Murphy, and Tracy Bruen, as well as bouzouki and fiddle duo Libby McCrohan and Alice Gallanagh. The evening will open with performances by Palestinian vocalist Aseel Shabana and Kurdish-Syrian bouzouki player Mohammad Syfkhan.
Audiences can also expect poetic readings from renowned writers Eva Bourke, Vincent Woods, and Bernie Crawford, alongside a lively theatrical cameo by Little John Nee. The night will culminate with a traditional Dabke dance workshop led by Palestinian dancers Hiba and Omar, inviting everyone to join in.
Art, food, and solidarity
Guests will have the chance to savour traditional Palestinian dishes prepared by local Palestinian families, while a curated selection of artwork by Palestinian artists—including Nour Ziada, Waleed Dahdoul, Dala Nobani, and Jameela Abed—will be available for purchase. Irish artist Ann Kiernan, based in Berlin, has also donated pieces to support the cause.
Supporting Gaza amid ongoing crisis
All proceeds will go to Wafaa Palestine, an organisation delivering urgent food, water, and hygiene supplies to families in Gaza, where more than 2.3 million people face famine conditions due to Israel’s ongoing siege. Since the collapse of the ceasefire on March 18, more than 778 Palestinians have been killed in renewed bombardments in Gaza.
Sawsan, one of the event’s organisers, emphasised the importance of ‘cultural resistance’ in light of recent events, saying, “For Palestinians, existence is a form of resistance. For over a century, Palestinian culture has remained at the heart of the Palestinian resistance.
“Efforts to celebrate and preserve indigenous cultures, including the Palestinian, have become integral to the global struggle for liberation. This event honours Palestinian identity and culture in the face of ongoing Israeli attempts at ethnic cleansing.”
An iDonate page has been set up for the upcoming event, to donate search ‘A Taste of Palestine’ on idonate.ie ‘A Taste of Palestine’ will take place at the Galway Rowing Club on Sunday, April 6 at 6pm.
