Dana Dajani - Writer . Performer

MONTREAL:: join us for an evening of poetic justice where spoken word poetry meets theatre. At Kawalees on Thursday the 25th at 8pm. Doors open at 7:30pm.
Link for tickets: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/an-olive-branch-by-dana-dajani-tickets-886455661747?utm_experiment=test_share_listing&aff=ebdsshios

‎ ِلِلَّٰهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ
Our beloved grandmother, Teta Aida Nashashibi-Dajani, has passed on. الله يرحمها
Aida was a strong and resilient Palestinian-Lebanese woman who lived an extraordinary life, and I was so fortunate to spend time by her side in January before she passed. In the last 12 years, I took great interest to document part of her incredible story.
Some of you have been close enough to hear of the 60 reels of 8mm film she bequeathed to me almost 10 years ago, which chronicled her travels with my grandfather after they were forcibly displaced from Palestine in 1967.

She was heartbroken to leave behind Petit Paris, the fashion boutique she established in Jerusalem. Her love of fashion and feminine expression persisted, despite the loss of her business and homeland. Decades later, she would gift me hundreds of dresses and accessories she had collected from her travels with my grandfather all around the world, from the 1960’s to the 90’s. I treasure these pieces and wear them constantly, reminded of her power and grace.

Teta Aida referred to those years as the time she and Jido Ismat spent as “poor millionaires”; Palestinian refugees living a “jet-set lifestyle” on a “shoe-string budget” by virtue of my grandfather’s work in the airline industry which covered their tickets and accommodation.

The 60 reels of 8mm film archive their travels from 1971 to 1983 across 17 countries- from Hawaii and Brazil, to Sri Lanka- and everywhere in between.
They truly are a treasure to me, but beyond the personal sentimental value, they are a strong archive of flora, fauna, architecture and culture in each of these countries in the 70’s.
I hope to share more of their beautiful story and this footage at another date. For now, I pray for safe passage in her final journey to reunite with her beloved husband, and our creator. الله يرحمك يا ستي

1. DO NOT GO NUMB
2. SIT WITH THE PAIN
3. Let it break your heart open

Performing here felt POTENT. Like this is where my poetry belongs: at the convergence of culture and politics. 🎭🏛️

On Day 2 of the
after hearing from John Kerry, Gov Bill Ritter, the Mayor of Athens Kostas Bakayonnis, and a panel discussion,

I took the stage to share my poem “If I was President” ⚖️
As a woman, as a Palestinian, as an artist, I felt offered a seat at the table:
invited to play, to speak in my own voice, to present a vision of leadership that comes from the heart… 🫀standing in the remnants of Ancient Greece,
wearing my grandmother’s 40+ year old dress, channeling the “Goddess of Democracy”.
It felt aligned AF. 🔥

Afterwards, , a 25-year old activist from Zimbabwe,
received the Kofi Annan Next Gen prize and delivered a powerful and poignant speech which awed and inspired us to the bone. 🧿
What a privilege to meet her, and Obama scholars and .herbst , and reconnect with activist and facilitator

⬆️Follow these women, and watch them change our world.

Let’s spend Friday on the farm!
On 8.9.23
I’m leading a Writing Workshop
followed by Dinner
and a Performance at .life a stunning organic farm in Salt, Jordan
🫒 🕊️ 🇵🇸 ♥️

An Olive Branch is an offering of peace and poetic justice through comedy, drama, and wordplay. Through a blend of poetry and theater, Dana Dajani explores themes of Ancestry, Immigration, Diaspora, Identity, Decolonization, Resistance, and Freedom through animated characters brought to life on stage.

The writing workshop preceding the performance is called “Write Yourself”, dedicated to cultivating an intuitive and introspective writing practice for self reflection and creative expression.

Timing
4pm arrivals welcome
4:30- 6:30 Writing Workshop
6:30-7:30 Delicious Palestinian Dinner (veg available)
7:30-9:00 Poetry Performance & discussions

Workshop = 25JOD
Dinner + Show = 30JOD
Both = 45 JOD

Tickets linked 🎟️you know where! I can’t wait to see you there!

I look back at these images and consider this the moment my Summer ‘23 Tour began. So much has happened since we visited Italy at the end of April: performances in Doha, Dubai, Bucharest, and Beirut!
Even more to come in the next few months inshallah 🙌🏽🎤Stay tuned for deets on UPCOMING SHOWS in Amman, Athens, and Amreeeeka announcing sooooon❤️

“Hope is the pillar that holds up the world.”- Pliny the Elder png took these beautiful shots 📸

To share my words in this stunning old theatre was magic enough, but to have and his brother Ovi bring them to life with music was a whole other dimension! Thanks to for making it all happen 🌻

Video of my experience at the to follow- check it out!

This week, I’m in for the conference. Beyond excited to be engaging in conversation with artists, curators, collectors, gallerists, journalist, politicians, lobbyists, futurists (and so much more) to discuss the state of the arts. Can art be a way out? Or is it a way in? Shoutout to the

Ramadan Mubarak to all my dear friends and family observing this holy month
✨ 🌙 ✨

ABU DHABI: see you Saturday at in celebration of our beloved PALESTINE 🇵🇸 ❤️ has organized an amazing market with food, art, Tatreez, poetry, music and more
Link for 🎟️ in BIO

Such a fun way to end the year! I am hosting Carols by Candlelight at featuring the incredible voices of .music and 🎶Come sing along to your favorite carols, enjoy the live band lead by , as well as the choir, dancers, and epic projections on Al Wasl Plaza dome. We are on every night through Sunday! 🎄

LONDON: are partnering with , to host a one-of-a-kind Palestinian theatre and art festival at
OCT 28-31 showcasing new plays, powerful pieces of spoken word and poetry, workshops, art from across Palestine, and so much more! 🇵🇸✌🏽🕊

Fri, 28th October:
7pm: Opening and networking event supported by . Music by .ldn Art by

Sat, 29th October:
2pm: Poetry workshop followed by performance with
and YomnAl-Kaisi
6:30pm: Performance "Another Lover's Discourse" by
8pm: Play "The Shroud Maker" by

Sun, 30th October:
10:30am: Breakfast with
2pm: “FIND YOUR VOICE” Spoken Word Poetry Writing workshop by .poetry ✍🏼
5pm POETRY PERFORMANCE with .poetry 🎙

6:30pm: Performance
"Another Lover's Discourse" by
8pm: Play "The Shroud Maker" by

Mon, 31st October:
6:30pm: Performance "Another Lover'sDiscourse" by
8pm: Play "The Shroud Maker" by

Buy your tickets at the LINK in Bio 🎟


‎فلسطين #
‎ فلسطين_لنا #
‎فلسطين_حرة #
‎فلسطينية #

In conversation with and at on TUESDAY the 25th as part of the incredible program of cultural offerings. The event is FREE but registration is essential. Link in BIO

33 was a year of transition, travel, and transformation
finding my truth and trusting the process
Thank You to all who supported me through this wild and wonderful year 💜
I love you and
I’m ready for more
Hello, 34

Looking forward to speaking at the Doha Women Forum this Saturday from 3-6pm at the Centara hotel. I will be sharing concepts and practices from - expect a transformational and dynamic workshop! It’s FREE to attend but seats are limited so registration is essential 🌻Email
[email protected]

Planes, trains, and buses
Moving house & making art
We said goodbye to London,
and hello to a new start in Doha
then a summer of travel
of beach and sun and celebration
Belgium and Jordan and Lebanon
Greece and India
(photo dumps to come)

I’m so proud of you, Habibi
for all you’ve achieved and overcome
Happy birthday, my lovepng

Happy Land Day ♥️ 🇵🇸
“On this land is all that makes life worth living” - Mahmoud Darwish

Throwback to planting olive trees in AlKhadr, Palestine on Land Day 2013

#يومالارضالفلسطيني by🇵🇸

Happy World POETRY day!
I’m excited to share a FREE ONLINE WRITING workshop 🌟
this Thursday, the 24th of March
as part of the series
hosted by the beloved .community 💜
Drop in as you are for 25 sessions of virtual wellness over 7 days 🎨 🧘‍♀️ ✍🏼
Register through the link in my bio to reserve your spot!
⏰ 8pm UAE, 7pm JO, 4pm UK
ink

Happy World POETRY day!
I’m excited to share a FREE ONLINE WRITING workshop 🌟
this Thursday, the 24th of March
as part of the series
hosted by the beloved .community 💜
Drop in as you are for 25 sessions of virtual wellness over 7 days 🎨 🧘‍♀️ ✍🏼
Register through the link in my bio to reserve your spot!
⏰ 8pm UAE, 7pm JO, 4pm LDN
ink

FRIDAY:: join us LIVE at Rich Mix London (& ONLINE!) for a night of poetry and song
to make proud our mama Palestine 🇵🇸 ♥️
presented by Palestine Solidarity Campaign UK and MARSM UK
Featuring Ruba Shamshoum ربى شمشوم and Dana Dajani - Writer . Performer


‎فلسطين #
‎ فلسطين_لنا #
‎فلسطين_حرة #
‎فلسطينية #

To have my poetry brought to life by musing on piano is an experience I will always treasure. الحمدلله I am grateful beyond expression.
In this heightened space of music and poetry everything is one. “Music is the universal language of mankind— poetry, our universal pasttime and delight” 🎶

There are many qualities that I admire in but the quality that I admire the most is his inclusivity. The expansiveness of his team feels like one unified and energized family, all tuning in to give their most to whatever creative exploration is at hand. It’s nurturing, this energy. Expansive. I feel grateful and inspired to be a part of it, and to share my original poems through his latest creative endeavor . Keep an eye out for a few more poems from me, as well as@seetaqasemieofficial and 🌻
Filmed by in .studio
Photos by my beloved .png

Facilitators .poetry, & , in this participant centred program to explore inspiring, complex and challenging global topics in a safe space. Together we will draw on various modalities in order to respond to the present moment of ecological crisis with power, and collectively build the future.

Through 6-Stages participants will learn how to transform their actions to be in integrity with their vision and join a network of like-spirited individuals. As we move from dissonance to harmony, we embody that a dream we dream together IS reality.

4-Day Workshop Retreat
12th,13th,19th & 20th Feb 2022. Hatta & Dubai

To register visit the link in my BIO

UAE FAM:: I’m super excited to invite you to for a two weekend retreat to explore spiritual and social ecology!

In the first weekend, we will explore our inner and outer realms together within the care of the community, in the stunning surroundings of the mountainous enclave in Hatta. The venue is 1hr 30 mins drive from Dubai and a perfect getaway from the city.

The second weekend we’ll converge and converse in Dubai and get our thinking minds together to consider how we may create holistic responses to universal and personal crises, particularly the environment!

My songwriting debut::: Beyond proud to have worked as a lyricist for the legendary , contributing 3 songs to this new family musical directed by . It premieres TONIGHT at - catch it 4x a week at the Al Wasl Plaza from now till the end of February!

Happy birthday to the original Ride or FLY. I love you so much .dajani 💗 I’m so proud of the woman you’ve become. Welcome to 31 🧿