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On November 15 in Berlin, Palestinian singer, composer and political activist Rim Banna received the 2013 Ibn Rushd prize, which honors supporters of freedom of thought and democracy in the Arab world.
Banna is acclaimed for her engagement with popular Arab movements, which appears particularly in her latest album, “Revelation of Ecstacy and Revolution”. Most of her songs focus on the longstanding Palestinian struggle for nationhood and the Arab people’s dreams of achieving freedom, dignity and justice.
As an activist, Banna participated in a 2011 hunger strike in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners, and joined the “Life convoy” of aid for internally displaced Syrians and refugees. Banna is also a breast cancer survivor. On October 16, in honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, she held a concert in the Salesian Cathedral in Nazareth which featured lush pink lighting.
“The provoking thing with Rim…is that she does not at all conform to the role of victim,” said producer Erik Hillestad at the awards ceremony. “The beauty and strength of her voice force us to understand that the Palestinian people is full of pride and power with a deep heritage and identity.”
For more info – Rim’s website