Shay Mace
Palestinian stories are set to take centre stage at EdFringe this year, with shows across various venues uplifting voices from the Occupied Territories. Spanning history from the 1948 Nakba to the ongoing genocide, alongside stories from the displaced and diaspora, all are looking to paint a vivid picture of what it means and feels like to be Palestinian in 2026. With a variety of themes and genres on display, we’re here to dig into five fascinating Palestinian pieces bound for Edinburgh in this article.
The Palestine Comedy Club are bringing several shows to the fore across major venues Underbelly, Pleasance and Assembly. Founded by stand-up comic Alaa Shehada in the UK and Palestine with assistance from director, writer & researcher Dr. Sam Beale and film producer Charlotte Knowles, the organisation is seeking to establish a regular stand-up circuit across the West Bank having toured across toured to venues in Ramallah, Nablus, Haifa, Nazareth, Jerusalem and Jenin.
Shehada brings his own work The Bridge (Upstairs at Assembly Roxy, Aug 6-16, 19:40), tracing travels from his home in the West Bank to Jordan bringing olive oil from this year’s harvest – a gift of separation from his mother in Jenin for her sister in Amma. Later in the month, Shehada will also perform The Horse of Jenin, following the true story of local children in Jenin and a German artist building a five metre horse from debris in the aftermath of the 2002 invasion.
Joining Shehada, a greatly intriguing personal story from Hanna Shammas exploring everyday life as a Palestinian living in the 1948 territories, in the city of Haifa. Hanna Shammas Takes It To Heart (Buttercup at Underbelly George Square, Aug 24-30, 14:15) sees Shammas unpacking a hospital visit where he discovers a hole in his heart, and his ties both to family and the Women in his life.
Palestinian-Syrian actor Arwa Omaren arrived in the UK to claim asylum in 2018, fleeing war-torn Damascus, walking through Kurdistan for weeks, and swimming across rivers, risking death and sexual assault. Her semi-autobiographical piece Hecuba: Why Am I In Your Country? (Turret at Gilded Balloon Teviot, Aug 5-31st, not 12, 18 or 25, 11:50) also takes inspiration from Ancient Greek play The Trojan Women by Euripedes to tell a story of displacement in a solo performance that looks to condense 2,500 years of history into one voice. Keep your eyes peeled for a Binge Fringe interview with Arwa shortly.
Focusing again on displacement but through the lens of a rom-com, MAJENIN – A Palestinian Love Story (10 Dome at Pleasance Dome, Aug 5-17 & 20-31, 11:45) follows two ‘fools’ torn between New York, London and Palestine, finding that the only place they truly feel at home is inside of their shared madness.
Finally, catch something visually and culturally striking in The Palestinian Circus: Step and a Half (The Lafayette at Underbelly’s Circus Hub on the Meadows, Aug 8-16, 18-23 & 25-29, 14:05). Inspired by the traditions of Palestinian folk dance Dabkeh and its iconic rhythm Wahdeh w Nos, the non-profit collective aim to celebrate life and togetherness in an inclusive demonstration of heritage, identity and collective freedom.
