Palestine Youth Orchestra is form of resistance against Israel — director

AMMAN — Culture is the best tool to face and overcome extremist ideologies, which intend to “kill people and demolish  any opposing ideology”, said Suhail Khoury, director of the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music. 

In an interview with The Jordan Times during the performance of Palestine Youth Orchestra in Amman last Wednesday, Khoury said that armies will not succeed in overcoming extremism because, once the people who spread the ideology are killed, the ideology still remains in society. 

The orchestra was founded by Khoury in 2004 and has since performed annually all over the world.  

“The quality of the orchestra has been enhanced very much,” the director noted. 

Khoury said that the idea of the existence of a Palestinian orchestra is a challenge to the Israeli occupation. 

“The performance that we hold is part of the resistance we offer and the presence of the orchestra is already a challenge to Israel. We show the world the true and bright face of Palestine which Israel is working hard to destroy,” he said, adding that people are usually fascinated by their performances. 

He noted that the shows they perform make people have a different and positive outlook towards Palestine.

“It is much more efficient than seminars, conferences or even newspaper stories; culture is the only thing that remains for us as we lost everything and we are in a terrible situation politically. The situation inside [Palestine] and in the Arab world is awful, and culture is the only thing left to remain attached to Palestine,” he added. 

Eighty-five musicians took part in the event, Khoury noted, adding that the idea of the orchestra is to bring together Palestinian musicians from all over the world.