On the genocide in Gaza and cultural resistance: our statement and call to action

After nearly eight decades of displacement, violent occupation, and oppression, the Palestinian people are now undergoing what the world’s leading experts recognise as a genocide. Almost two years into this horrific escalation, we once again feel it is urgent to draw attention to what is happening. The scale of suffering and oppression demands our awareness, immediate engagement, and solidarity.

The words spoken by Mustafa Sheta, director of the Jenin Freedom Theatre, at our 2025 annual conference in September still resonate in our minds. Cultural spaces are essential to articulate political imagination, nourishing hope and resistance.

Let's make sure the collective voice of the European socio-cultural sector is heard, together with the many other voices that are joining in solidarity with Palestine. Let's use our daily work to promote cultural participation and freedom of expression, to inform, shed light on what is happening, and challenge neo-colonial and racist bias in the mainstream discourse. Let’s create spaces and opportunities for Palestinian artists and cultural workers to showcase their work to the world. Let’s advocate for the protection and promotion of truly independent media.

Civil society worldwide is mobilising at an unprecedented scale, and we want to express our utmost support to the heroic mission that is being carried out by the Global Sumud Flotilla as we write. In the event of an interception or attack on the flotilla, the ENCC office will be joining the strike promoted by Art Workers for Palestine Belgium, and participate in the actions foreseen in Brussels. We invite all members of our community to consider joining the strikes and initiatives that are being prepared all over Europe.

Lastly, as part of the #CultureForPeace initiative that we launched two years ago, we also reiterate our invite to send us your cultural and artistic initiatives that promote awareness and solidarity with Palestine. We will promote them on our channels. To take part, write to office@encc.eu.