Gaza is Alive Exhibition

Image from Abdelkader Nassiri

"Gaza is Alive" celebrates the resilience and creativity of Gaza’s people, connecting them to their heritage. The exhibition showcases Palestinian art, encouraging visitors to look beyond politics and propaganda and offering deeper insight into the human stories and cultural richness that endure despite adversity. It is free to visit 24/7 until 29 October, located by the IJ-side main entrance, at the bottom of the steps to Tolhuistuin.

Free entrance

Gaza is Alive Exhibition

Location

Tolhuistuin

IJpromenade 2

1031 KT Amsterdam

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Gaza: 6000 Years of History and Resilience

Gaza, a port city on the Mediterranean Sea with over 6000 years of history, has long been a centre of culture, learning, and innovation. In ancient times, it was the capital of the Philistine Pentapolis and famed for producing Gaza White Wine. The city also gave rise to influential figures such as Silvanus of Gaza, a bishop and martyr during the Great Persecution, and the Rhetorical School of Gaza scholars in late antiquity.

Modern Achievements and Heritage

Despite current challenges, Gaza remains a hub of talent and innovation. For example, Loay Elbasyouni contributed to developing a helicopter that flies over Mars. Artist Taysir Batniji has exhibited his work in cities like Paris, New York, and Tokyo. Another Gazan, Majd Masharawi, pioneered sustainable building with her invention of Green Cake, construction blocks made from rubble.

Siege and Resilience

Despite these remarkable achievements, Gaza is under siege. Its water, air, land, animals, plants, and infrastructure are systematically destroyed, along with the rich archaeological layers and the people's memories. Yet Gaza's spirit remains unbroken. Today, 50% of Gaza’s population is under 18, and 40% is under 14. Despite ongoing genocide, urbicide, and memoricide, the city��s 6000 years of thought, art, design, cuisine, and resilience live on.

Exhibition: Gaza is Alive

Celebrating this resilience through art and storytelling, Gaza is Alive features two central artworks: GH0809 by Taysir Batniji, commemorating the bombed houses in Gaza, and Philistine DNA by Maryann Jaraisy, which uses ancient Philistine pottery designs to connect the memory of destruction with contemporary details.