Balfour Reparations (2024-2044)
This performance lecture investigates ways of confronting the United Kingdom’s colonial legacy in Palestine. In particular, the role of Arthur James Balfour, the country’s Prime Minister (1902-1905), Foreign Secretary (1916-1919), Chancellor and Rector of many UK prominent universities (1886-1930), in the historical denial of Palestinian political rights in their homeland. Saleh does that through elements of Critical Fabulation and Afrofuturism that combine history, fiction and fantasy, while engaging with and being inspired by archival material, such as videos, photos, and documents.
The performance lecture takes place in 2044 to reflect on the fictive apology letter that the United Kingdom will have issued in 2024 to the Palestinian people promising them reparations. The audience become members of the reparations’ evaluation committee created on the 20th anniversary of the apology and are invited to participate in the performance.
Work-in-progress Performances
December 2023 at InSpace Gallery (Edinburgh)
June 2024 at CCA part of Common Ground Festival (Glasgow)
Performances
September 2024 at St Alfege Church (Greenwich)
Credits
Concept and choreography:
Farah Saleh
In collaboration with
Film & Sound design:
Lucas Chih-Peng Kao
© Lucas Chih-Peng Kao
Research:
Nicola Perugini
Dancers:
Nadia Khattab and Jamal Bajali
Rehearsal support:
Luke Pell
Graphic design:
Michaela Pointon
Music:
Kim Moore
Wasef Jawhariya
Funded by:
Culture&
Common Ground Festival
The Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities (IASH)
Special thanks to:
Adam Perugini Saleh, Ben Fletcher-Watson, Emil Perugini Saleh, Emily Nicholl, Hannah Draper, Lauren Galligan, Lesley McAra, Mira Knoche, Pauline Clark, Qais Saleh, Sawsan Shunnar, Sophia Lycouris and Stitches
