THE POEM WE SANG revives Palestinian memory on the birthdate of the late Palestinian poet Khalil Al-Sakakini

Egypt Today

26-01-2025

Khalil Al-Sakakini's patriotic poem celebrating Palestinian nationhood We Are a Proud Nation just released on YouTube and all music streaming platforms following a successful screening of Annie Sakkab's short THE POEM WE SANG — which enjoyed a lively Q&A session with its director after its conclusion — at the Khalil Sakakini Cultural Center on January 21st in celebration of the revered Palestinian intellectual and revolutionary leader's birthday.
Two days later, to signal the song's release, We Are a Proud Nation was performed live by an orchestral troupe at Ramallah's famed Forum of Expertise.
Those interested in watching the modern rendition of this epic poem can watch it on the following link or tune in to their preferred platform: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwT44bpU_pE
Directed by Annie Sakkab, THE POEM WE SANG delves into the history behind We Are a Proud Nation, a nearly lost anthem of Palestinian pride and resistance. Inspired by her father and uncle, who sang the song to her as a child, Annie recreates the song from her memories as a gift to Palestine, offering a symbol of cultural reclamation. The 20-minute experimental film blends black-and-white and color visuals to reflect on themes of longing, displacement, and the healing power of art.
Khalil Al-Sakakini's work continues to be a cornerstone of Palestinian identity. Shortly after the Balfour Declaration, his poem became a prophetic reflection of resistance. In a letter to his son in 1936, he wrote, 'We are a proud nation... when tyranny persisted, we became mad, and they faced from us what they had never anticipated.' These words resonate deeply in the ongoing struggles for justice and freedom today.
This dual event highlights the enduring power of song, poetry, and film to preserve and reclaim cultural heritage. It will be streamed live across the Khalil Sakakini Cultural Centre's digital platforms, offering a global audience the chance to reflect on the unbreakable bond between memory, music, and homeland.
THE POEM WE SANG held its world premiere at the Hot Docs International Documentary Festival in Canada before screening at over 40 international film festivals, including the Vancouver Short, Kortfilm, Toronto Arab Film, DocEdge, and London film festivals. It has also earned several accolades, including the Jury Special Mention at the Herceg Novi Film Festival in Montenegro and Best Experimental Short Film at the Nazra Short Film Festival.
The film was produced and co-written by Annie Sakkab and Paul Lee in collaboration with B707 Productions. Sakkab also directed, lensed, edited, and narrated the film, while Celina and Hanna Sakkab starred in it.