The Horse of Jenin

THE HORSE OF JENIN written and performed by Palestinian actor and comedian Alaa Shehada tells a universal story. A story about the resilience that imagination brings it is centred on a boy growing up in occupied Jenin but like every child in the world all he wants is to play and have fun. 

In April 2002 a major invasion took place in Jenin. In the aftermath a German artist travelled to the city for an art workshop. After four weeks with the help of 15 Palestinians he unveiled the result. He had built a horse as tall as 5 metres out of metal fragments debris from the bombing. They rode the horse through the city in an uplifting display to the people. 

The horse is an Arabic symbol of freedom but this statue was also a symbol of peaceful resistance and became a symbol of resilience. In November 2023 an Israeli bulldozer entered the camp and the horse was removed. 

In this solo show Shehada builds a new horse constructed from the fragments of his memories and supplemented with a dose of humour and fantasy. A theatrical symbol of resistance and creativity the performance is an ode to the power of imagination and the value of playing freely.

The Horse of Jenin was produced by Troupe Courage in the Netherlands and is now brought to the UK in association with the Palestine Comedy Club. 

Host or Publisher Stratford East