On Sunday, September 21, 2025, in the Breton hamlet of Pont-Menou, nearly 80 people responded to the invitation of AFPS du Pays de Morlaix for a full day dedicated to Palestine. The participants were welcomed by the team of “La Dérive,” an alternative collective that manages a former sawmill where artists in residence and solidarity initiatives are hosted.
The morning program included a Palestinian cooking workshop followed by a shared meal attended by 65 guests featuring an excellent makloubeh. The workshop, led by a Franco-Palestinian quartet, provided a true immersion into Palestinian cuisine. Throughout the day, various activities were offered, including a workshop to create a mini Freedom Flotilla open to all ages as a pretext to discuss the urgency of breaking the blockade of Gaza. The calligraphy workshop led by Mohamed Idali and the discovery of Topoly (the Monopoly of the occupied Palestinian Territory) further connected participants to the political and cultural reality of Palestine. In the same spirit, a quiz to test knowledge of Palestinian history also facilitated exchanges directly related to the current situation, supplemented by the numerous documents and books offered by AFPS activists.
At 4 p.m., about fifty people attended the screening of the animated film “Wardi” by Mats Grorud, which was emotionally impactful due to its portrayal of life in refugee camps and the film’s graphic quality.
The day, described as very convivial by participants, was a true success in fostering a better understanding of Palestinian culture through sharing. It was also an opportunity for AFPS to call for continued unified mobilizations in Pays de Morlaix against the genocide in Gaza and ethnic cleansing throughout occupied Palestine. The day also resulted in significant financial support and 8 additional memberships, including 4 new ones, along with around fifteen new contacts interested in AFPS’s activities.
A big thank you to all the participants, as well as the team of La Dérive for their hospitality and availability, and to the AFPS volunteers in Pays de Morlaix who once again dedicated their efforts to organizing this wonderful initiative. Clearly, an event to be repeated.
