The 46th annual Palestine Cultural Day, hosted by the Palestinian American Coalition (PAC), took place in downtown Redwood City on Saturday. The event aimed to honor Palestinian heritage and give back to the community in Gaza and the West Bank.
The first ever Palestine Cultural Day took place in 1979, after Palestinian activists from across the Bay Area came together to celebrate their culture and provide aid to Gaza. Dr. Samir Totah was the chairperson for the first Palestine Cultural Day and helped lead the festival for several years. “My favorite moment is when our young people claim Palestine as free and express self determination,” he said. As the event grew over time, additional Palestinian organizations and community clubs contributed to the event to increase participation and broaden its impact.
The festival filled the streets of Redwood City with booths selling unique Palestinian goods ranging from keffiyeh scarves and jewelry to pottery and embroidered accessories. There were plenty of food options as well, including shawarma, manaeesh, and packaged Middle Eastern snacks. Much of the proceeds from these booths will be donated to Palestinians in need.
Countless non-profit organizations got the opportunity to table as well. The Arab Resource and Organizing Center (AROC), which is dedicated to providing crucial resources to Arab youth and their community, such as immigration and legal services, tabled at the event. For them, the event is an opportunity to show the importance of Palestinian culture. “It’s a beautiful space for our community to get together and to show everything about us, whether it’s culture or politics,” Sabreen Imtair, a member of AROC, said.
Rebuilding Alliance is another non-profit that tabled at the event. They provide direct aid to Gaza and the West Bank, working to get Palestinians access to food and other basic needs. “My favorite part is seeing people come to our table and want to know what we’re doing and how to give back. It’s something that really touches the heart,” Adam Ramadan, a staff member at Rebuilding Alliance, said.
As the day went on, the streets filled and every booth bustled with customers. Live music brightened the atmosphere. Palestinian artists such as Sammy Shiblaq, Danah Salah, performed. Their work spanned multiple genres, including rap, EDM, and pop.
Attendees expressed their fondness for the event. “There’s a lot of misinformation in the way the American media presents Arabs and being on the ground like this and understanding them from their point of view and not someone else’s is critical,” Natalie Zhar, a community member, said. “I think everybody comes to connect and feel like they’re in a safe space to express themselves.”
Palestinian Cultural Day has become a staple event for the community and will continue to be a significant part of celebrating Palestinian heritage. Palestinians are determined to embrace and express their culture freely. “Hopefully we will continue this event forever,” Totah said.
