GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — The Palestinian Cultural Palace, a cultural center created by a youth group in the Gaza Strip, organized its first artistic and cultural activity funded by the Rachel Corrie Foundation and in cooperation with the local Women’s Programs Center on Aug. 22 in Al-Mishal Theater in Gaza City.

The center’s first artistic group, made up of children ages 12-16, organized a national folkloric play titled “Operetta: Time for Peace," which targets all social categories of all ages.

The Palestinian Cultural Palace has limited finances in light of the lack of government and international financing. This pushed its young founders to rent Al-Mishal Theater for $1,000 every four months to perform their cultural and artistic activities. It should be noted that the activities and training sessions offered by the center have brought in around $3,000 since the opening on Aug. 22.

The Palestinian Culture Palace is starting up at a time when the Gaza Strip is witnessing a state of artistic and cultural stagnation. Imad Baroud, the founder and general supervisor of the Palestinian Cultural Palace, told Al-Monitor that the main objective is to preserve the cultural heritage of the Palestinian people and pass it on to future generations through positive and sound channels, such as meaningful artistic activities inspired by Palestinian culture and civilization, in addition to training sessions and workshops in various artistic and cultural fields.