Returning to Haifa is one of the most iconic works of Palestinian resistance literature. The novella tells the story of Said and Safiyya, two Palestinians going back to the home they were driven from twenty years earlier, in 1948.
“When he reached the edge of Haifa, approaching by car along the Jerusalem road, Said had the sensation that something was binding his tongue, compelling him to keep silent, and he felt grief well up inside of him”.
Returning to Haifa is a plea for civilization, justice and respect of human dignity for Palestinian people and for all human beings.
Directed by Anthony Fox
Adapted by Angela Gissi
Production Coordinator – Fatin al-Tamimi
Assistant Director – Jesamine Humphrey
**Post-show discussions from Wednesday 19th November onwards, featuring:**
*Wed 19* – Dr. Yaser Alashqar (Palestinian Academic from Gaza)
Chairperson: Martin O’Quigley (Chairperson of the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign – IPSC)
*Thur 20* – Dr. Ayman Shaheen (Palestinian Academic from Gaza)
Chairperson: Honor Heffernan (Singer and actress)
*Fri 21* – Caoimhe Butterly (Human rights and social justice activist)
Chairperson: Betty Purcell (Author and television producer)
*Sat 22* – Dr. Ronit Lentin (Irish-Israeli academic and author)
Chairperson: Dr. John Reynolds (Lecturer in International Law and former Al Haq researcher)
*Mon 24* – Jihad Jaara and Rami Kamel (Palestinian exiles from the Siege of the
Church of the Nativity)
Chairperson: Freda Hughes (Media officer of the IPSC and radio producer)
*Tue 25* – Jihad Jaara and Rami Kamel
Chairperson: Harry Browne (Journalist and academic)
*Wed 26* – Dr. David Landy (Irish-Jewish academic and author)
Chairperson: Dr. Raymond Deane (Composer and founding member of the IPSC)
*Thur 27* – Dr. Claudia Saba (Palestinian academic from Jerusalem)
Chairperson: Dr. Laurence Davis (Academic and lecturer in Government)
*Fri 28* – Anni Kanafani (Wife of the author and Director of the Ghassan Kanafani Cultural Foundation)
Chairperson: Dr. Conor McCarthy (Academic and specialist in the work of Palestinian intellectual Edward Said)
*Sat 29* – Anni Kanafani
Chairperson: Robert Ballagh (Renowned Irish artist)
Photos of the read-through
Right: Fatin al-Tamimi & Céin Sookram
Left: Cathy O’Carroll & Anthony Fox. Right: Lisa Krugel & Jesamine Humphrey
Left: Linda Teehan. Right: Michael Bates, Ciaran McCabe & Angela Gissi
Left: Anetadina Keder
Acknowledgment for Donors
Friends of ‘Returning to Haifa’:
Thomas Pringle TD
Isabel Ogie Caroline Obadiaru
Sen. David Norris
Sen. Labhrás Ó Murchú
Sen. Kathryn Reilly
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn TD
Maureen O’Sullivan TD
Richard Boyd Barrett TD
Joe Costello TD
Cllr. Cieran Perry
Cllr. Jane Horgan-Jones
Cllr. Paul Hand
Cllr. Chris Andrews
Sinn Féin Dublin South
Dr. Raymond Deane
Trevor Hogan
Offside Football Fashion (www.offside.bigcartel.com)
Thanks to everybody who participated in the Palestinian culture night, the sponsored hike, the quiz and the tea morning.
Special thanks to:
Fans of Bohemian Football Club
Anne Whelan
Martin O’Quigley of the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign
Abraham Phelan of the Silk Road Restaurant and the Silk Road Kitchen Middle Eastern & Mediterranean Cookery School
Extra Special thanks to:
Basil Ziadeh and Fidelma Bonass for their extraordinary contribution to this project, and to Kevin Squires for his consistent and outstanding commitment to the struggle for justice and freedom in Palestine and for his exceptional support for the production of Returning to Haifa.
Thanks to our speakers and chairs in the post-show discussions
See list above
Thanks for providing logistical support
Ghassan Kanafani Cultural Foundation (www.ghassankanafani.com)
Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign (www.ipsc.ie)
Rimal Publications (www.rimalbooks.com)
Connolly Books (www.tinyurl.com/connollybooks)
Gordon Dickerson, Literary Agent
Cast and Creatives
Anthony Fox
Director
Angela Gissi
Adaptation
Fatin al-Tamimi
Production Coordinator
Jesamine Humphrey
Assistant Director
Michael Bates
Cast (Said)
Linda Teehan
Cast (Safiyya)
Anetadina Keder
Cast (Miriam)
Ciaran McCabe
Cast (Dov)
Cein Sookram
Stage Manager
Cathy O'Carroll
Lighting Designer
Lisa Krugel
Set Design
Jessica Dunne
Costume Design
Shane Fitzmaurice
