Strategy and Planning

In light of recent Israeli violent assault against our people in Gaza and the current, unpredictable political atmosphere involving pressure on creatives and culture in the West Bank, it is with great regret to announce the cancellation of the forthcoming Palestine Music Expo 2022 - PMX2022, which was supposed to take place at Qattan Foundation in Ramallah this September. The instability brought upon us by the occupation in recent days, coupled with numerous cultural and music event cancellations following attacks or threats to artists and venues in the West Bank, have put us in a very difficult situation, just one month before our anticipated Expo - and after three years of a forced break due to Covid-19 limitations. The list of challenges faced in the Palestinian music landscape and by Palestinian artists particularly in the West Bank and Gaza, is only expanding. This list contains not only a lack of resources, insufficient investments, isolation, marginalization, absence of outreach and many more. In addition to that, recently we’ve been witnessing official authorities’ lack of ability to provide a safe environment for artists and their supporters. This is a new and worrying social phenomena in Palestine and it is not acceptable since freedom of expression is a fundamental right rooted in our history and in our social values. Free expression is also a fundamental of music - and music is fundamental to PMX. We will not allow anyone - whether it is the occupation or other parties - silence our freedom of expression. Our most recent PMX event took place more than three years ago, back in April 2019. The restrictions imposed universally by Covid 19 only boosted our eagerness and commitment to once again produce our international music event - which brings together Palestinian musicians and delegates from the world-wide music industry to engage, learn, connect, produce and be creative, together. The core existence of PMX is to promote and support Palestinian art and culture. We are heartbroken that once again, we won’t be able to provide both artists and music lovers with the opportunity to experience Palestinian musical talent and, to enjoy a sense of normality and acceptance and to have a taste of a somewhat normal Palestine. Having to postpone such an opportunity due to a context of aggression is deeply oppressive, regardless of the source of the aggression. PMX has played a key role in supporting Palestinian music culture. We have put Palestinian music on the global stage. Since we launched in 2017, dozens of artists have signed deals with international music industry partners or performed on international stages, and key leaders and influencers from the international music industry have visited Palestine for PMX. We even played a fundamental role in helping the city of Ramallah to become designated as one of UNESCO’s Creative Cities Networks. For PMX 2022 we had key Music Industry legendary delegates again flying in from all over the world including Australia, Asia, and the Americas and Europe. PMX has cemented itself as one of the most well known, globally respected, innovative and established new music festivals. It is tragic for us and for the music world, that this festival is being canceled due to a lack of cooperation from official authorities and the systematic oppression of artists. We, the Palestine Music Expo organizers, call for the revival of discussion in Palestine, to address the challenges faced and the consequences for those in the music industry and to identify remedies and solutions. We call for an open and public dialogue between cultural agents in Palestine and official authorities, so that we can once again all be united in our struggle to keep the rich Palestinian culture alive and internationally known. We wish for a free Palestine, free from occupation and its beneficiaries and free from the persecution of authentic artistry and expression, with a safe and creative space for ALL.