Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Cirque du Soleil






Kanadská skupina nového cirkusu Cirque du Soleil vyráží v létě na turné po Blízkém východě. Jedním z měst bude i Tel Aviv. Místní jordánská skupina zahájila kampaň, která má skupinu přesvědčit, aby respektovala palestinskou výzvu k bojkotu, stažení investic a uvalení sankcí (BDS) a aby své vystoupení v Tel Avivu zrušila.

The Canadian circus arts company Cirque du Soleil is touring the Middle East this summer; one of the cities they’re performing in is Tel Aviv. A local Jordanian campaign is working on convincing them to respect the Palestinian call for boycott, divestment and sanctions and cancel the event in Tel Aviv.

zdroj: http://electronicintifada.net/blogs/nidal-el-khairy/cirque-du-soleil

dopis: http://shalabieh.wordpress.com/2012/05/20/cdscancelisrael/

bds kulturní bojkot: Pokyny k mezinárodnímu kulturnímu bojkotu Izraele (PACBI)




Dopis vykopírovaný:

Cirque du Soleil contacts:

Emails:
contact@cirquedusoleil.com
chantal.cote@cirquedusoleil.com
mediainfo@cirquedusoleil.com


Twitter: @cirque (hastag being used is #CDSCancelIsrael)

The letter sent by the Jordanian Popular Boycott Movement:

Dear Cirque Du Soleil, 

Date: May 2012

Washing one’s hands of the conflict between the powerful and the powerless means to side with the powerful, not to be neutral”―Paulo Freire

As Jordanians and as conscientious citizens of the world, we are appalled to learn that Cirque du Soleil is scheduled to perform in Tel Aviv this August. We are strong advocates of the arts and of cultural exchange, but the choice of Cirque du Soleil to entertain those who commit crimes of war and against humanity is shameful

As often neglected by mainstream media, Zionist militias (such as the Haganah) started arriving in Palestine back in 1917. Through land-theft, ethnic cleansing, displacement of native people, terrorizing innocent civilians, and the distortion of natural terrain, what is referred to today as the “State of Israel” was created. At present, this so-called State grew to become more brutal, and continues to rob our land, massacre our people, appropriate our cultural heritage, and commit what is now known as the crime of apartheid. This is not a matter of opinion or perspective; it is an issue of historical events and documented facts. 

Since the establishment of this colonial entity and until this day, our people have resorted to various forms of resistance, be it armed or non-violent, organized or popular. For us, to resist is to exist. Boycott strategies are but one form of peaceful resistance that we choose to implement. We believe that artists have a responsibility towards what is righteous, as art should not stand neutral and indifferent towards injustice; this is why more than 500 artists in Montreal alone have decided to boycott. We ask you to join them.

Under what you call the Global Citizenship section of your website, you state that “Ever since Cirque du Soleil had the resources to pursue its dreams and perform around the world, it chose to become involved in communities… Concerned with the future, Cirque du Soleil turned its attention and resources to global issues… Cirque du Soleil wants above all to take its place in society as a good citizen, with all the duties and responsibilities that go with citizenship”. 

A “good citizen” does not side with those who commit genocides. Your participation there will help them in promoting themselves as peace lovers; this so-called State has mastered the game of “criminal-record laundry” using the arts and culture, and you will be contributing to that. 

We urge you as humans and as artists to take a stand against entertaining those who have and continue to commit various forms of atrocities. This is not a political position that we are asking you to take, but one of justice and human dignity. Take the stand that so many freedom fighters have taken before, cancel your show in Tel Aviv.

Should Cirque du Soleil decide to boycott, we will be your strongest promoters in Jordan and the region, but if you choose to go ahead as planned, then we will be obliged to launch a boycott campaign against the event in Jordan, and we will urge other boycott movements around the world to do the same. 

Finally, and despite your decision, we ask that you share this letter amongst members and artists in your group, for it is their right to be aware of what they are taking part in. 

Sincerely,
The Jordanian Popular Boycott Movement