The Arabic phrase “aamar” means “may it keep growing” or “may it get stronger”. Aseel Tayah, a Melbourne-based Palestinian artist, activist and passionate cook, has spent many months creating an interactive event A’AMAR with a team of artists in Australia and her homeland.
In October, just as the team was preparing to celebrate the announcement of A’AMAR as part of Sydney Festival, they were robbed of this joy by the escalation of violence in Gaza. Horrifically, all of Aseel’s collaborators based in Palestine have been killed one after another, most recently filmmaker Roshdi Sarraj.

The devastation is almost beyond human comprehension and yet somehow Aseel and the team remaining are somehow finding the strength to continue on. They are determined to share the stories and culture of the people of Palestine through A’AMAR at Sydney Festival and beyond. Aseel says, “it is with heavy hearts that we have new stories to tell. Stories that we feel, more strongly than ever, must be told”

There is an urgent need for funds for the team to be able to continue in this cause. Funding already expended on artist fees for those who have passed away and orders for materials for set and props from Palestine can not be recouped due to the war. The work will need to undergo additional development requiring fees for the artists as the scripts written, tone of video content and marketing materials are no longer appropriate.

We are asking for your support to help raise $50K to enable the delivery of A’AMAR and a digital platform for storytelling that will live on beyond the festival.

Please help so they have the funds to share these stories and rich culture, honour those who have been lost, and celebrate the power of coming together through food, poetry, song and storytelling.