Musicians from the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music are operating out of three makeshift tents in al-Mawasi, Gaza, using salvaged instruments and plastic-tubing flutes to provide psychological relief to children amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis. According to reports from The Guardian, the institution—which lost its Gaza City headquarters, pianos, and archives during the war—now functions as a vital refuge for students and teachers displaced by the conflict.
How is the conservatory maintaining operations?
The conservatory has shifted its focus from structured, theoretical education to practical training and choral singing to accommodate the limitations of living in a displacement zone. Ahmed Abu Amsha, a teacher and coordinator for the conservatory’s central Gaza activities, stated that music has become a primary tool for psychological relief for children suffering from trauma. Because traditional instruments were destroyed or lost during the conflict, teachers like Osama Jahjouh have resorted to crafting flutes from plastic tubing to ensure students can continue their practice. These efforts occur despite the persistent hum of military drones and the lack of basic resources like clean water and fuel.
What are the long-term challenges for cultural institutions in Gaza?
Reconstruction of cultural infrastructure remains stalled as Israeli restrictions on the entry of goods into the territory persist. Nine months after a ceasefire, the region remains divided, with 2.3 million Palestinians living in areas largely outside of Israeli control. While the conservatory, named after the late Palestinian-US intellectual Edward Said, maintains its headquarters in the West Bank, its Gaza branch is struggling to bridge the gap caused by the loss of physical space. Before the war, the institution’s students were known to travel internationally to perform with the Palestine Youth Orchestra; today, teachers must traverse hours of rubble-filled roads just to reach students living in tents.
The oud, a traditional Arabic instrument central to the conservatory’s curriculum, is widely considered the ancestor of the modern European guitar. Students like 17-year-old Mohammad Khader continue to study the instrument as a means of maintaining their cultural identity during the war.
How does music impact the mental health of displaced youth?
For students living in the crowded, windswept conditions of al-Mawasi, music serves as an essential escape from the reality of the war. 15-year-old student Yara Abu Amsha, who began learning the violin eight months ago, described the instrument as a “refuge” that allows her to express feelings that are otherwise difficult to process. This sentiment is echoed by teachers who have witnessed the loss of students—such as the death of Yusuf Salman, a disciplined guitar student—which has deepened the emotional necessity of maintaining the conservatory’s presence. The music, ranging from traditional maqams to classical compositions, provides a brief respite from the sweltering heat and the sound of the surrounding conflict.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music? It is a Palestinian institution founded in 1993, dedicated to teaching classical, popular, and traditional music.
- Where is the conservatory currently operating? The Gaza branch is currently operating out of three tents on the beach in al-Mawasi.
- Why are teachers making flutes out of plastic? Due to the destruction of the conservatory’s original building, all professional instruments were lost, forcing teachers to improvise with available materials.
When documenting stories of resilience in conflict zones, focus on the specific, tangible actions—like the construction of a plastic flute—to ground the narrative in reality rather than generalities.
The survival of the conservatory depends on the dedication of its remaining staff and the demand from students who view music as a fundamental part of their existence. To stay updated on the situation in Gaza and the status of cultural recovery efforts, please subscribe to our newsletter or explore our archives for ongoing coverage of regional developments.
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