Palestine Culture Night at the RCC to mark UN International Day of Solidarity

The Regional Cultural Centre, Letterkenny, will host Palestine Culture Night on Saturday, November 29, to mark the UN International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.

A highlight of this year’s programme will be the opening of a poignant art exhibition by Gazan artists Raed Issa and Sohail Salem, who created extraordinary work during the genocide in Gaza. Using handmade charcoal, biro, and pigments drawn from flowers and leaves, their art documents both devastation and resilience in a deeply moving way.

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The exhibition forms a central part of Palestine Culture Night and will also continue as a standalone display in the days following the event. Limited-edition prints of the artists’ work will be available to purchase for €30 each, with all proceeds going directly to the artists in Gaza.

The evening promises a vibrant celebration of unity, diversity, and community, while honouring the Palestinian people and their rich cultural heritage and traditions. Guests can enjoy Palestinian cuisine, art, live music, film, and traditional embroidery throughout the night.

Artist Bernadette Hopkins, from Donegal branch of The Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) and co-ordinator of the event, said: “Palestine Culture Night is about standing together in solidarity, but it is also about celebrating resilience and the incredible creativity of the Palestinian people. The work of Raed and Sohail reminds us of the power of art to document, to resist, and to keep hope alive even in the darkest of times. It will be a night to come together as a community and to share food, stories, and culture.”

Jeremy Howard, Director of the Regional Cultural Centre, added: “The RCC is proud to host Palestine Culture Night and to provide a platform for artists and communities to connect. This event is an opportunity not only to celebrate Palestinian heritage but also to stand in solidarity with the people of Palestine on this important international day.”

Live music will feature performances by Niwar Issa, a Kurdish composer and qanun player whose work blends Middle Eastern and Irish influences, and Duo Zouk, featuring Irish musician Martin Coyle and Greek composer Nikos Petsakos, exploring the shared musical journeys of the bouzouki across cultures.

The event begins at 7pm sharp and is free to attend, but tickets must be booked in advance through the Regional Cultural Centre.