Palestinian DJ and activist Nour launches Kickstarter campaign for Nakba project

Palestinian DJ, producer and activist Nour has launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund the Refugee Chronicles — an interactive map project that will document stories of the 1948 Nakba.

Meaning “catastrophe” in Arabic, Nakba refers to the mass displacement of Palestinians during the Arab-Israeli war of 1948. On the time-sensitive nature of the project, Nour Alshoi writes “ As the last generation of Nakba survivors grows older, their stories risk being lost to history.”

The project, which started three years ago, has seen Alsholi travel to various Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) countries, meeting with Nakba survivors.

Having conducted 50 interviews across Jordan and Palestine, the Refugee Chronicle project now hopes to collate the stories gathered into an interactive map.

The map will allow users to click on various locations to hear about the events which took place there, as told by the people who lived through them.

"The stories captured within these camps embody the resilient spirit of a community that has faced adversity for generations,” a description on the Refugee Chronicle's kickstarter reads.

Funds raised will go towards the design and build of the map, as well as the editing, enhancement and translating of the interview footage.

Working with a team that prioritises “survivor well-being, ethical practices, and accurate representation,” Nour Alsholi also hopes to fund trips to gather more stories of the Nakba.

The Refugee Chronicle team writes that those who cannot contribute financially can support the project by spreading awareness of the campaign to friends, family and social media. “I strive to illuminate the Nakba's impact, articulate survivors' struggles, and contribute to a collective understanding of the lasting effects of historical injustices.”

“This ongoing situation highlights the continuous nature of this historic event, showcasing how the Nakba persists and hasn't concluded,” Alsholi told Resident Advisor.

Through her photography and archiving work, Nour draws parallels between the Nakba of 1948 and the current crisis in Gaza “which one Israeli minister has called “Nakba 2023.” The project aims to raise a total of £21,660.

Depending on the donation, backers can receive a digital Thank You Card, exclusive access to early content, name in credits of the website or a digital print.

To donate to the Refugee Chronicles project click here.

Mixmag has compiled a list of ways to aid the humanitarian crisis in Palestine, you can read it here.