Amidst the ongoing oppression and violence by the Israeli occupation army in Palestine, the Indigo Festival started today at the Time Coral Resort hotel in Sinai, Egypt. The festival, which will last for five full days on the land of Sinai, claims to represent a meeting place for all music and “freedom” lovers.

However, the festival raises concerns about cultural normalization, which enables the occupation to present itself in a positive light to the world.

The History of the Indigo Festival

The Indigo Festival began in 2009 in northern Israel, where it hosted leading artists from various styles, including Chillout, Psychedelic Down Tempo Ambient, rock performances, world music, and live shows. The festival aimed to promote music and “freedom” while raising awareness about social and environmental issues.

In 2019, the festival moved to Sinai and took place at the Coral Resort Nuweiba, which sparked controversy and criticism from various groups. The organizers claimed that the move aimed to create a unique experience in a beautiful and peaceful location that promotes coexistence and cultural exchange. However, critics argued that the move to Sinai serves to whitewash the Israeli occupation and normalize its actions against the Palestinian people.

In 2022, the organizers attempted to return to Israel to celebrate the festival, but they were unsuccessful. However, they claim that the opportunity has opened up to return to Sinai in Passover 2023.

The Significance of the Indigo Festival

The Indigo Festival claims to represent a meeting place for all music and “freedom” lovers, but the festival’s history and location raise concerns about its significance. The festival takes place on the land of Sinai, which has a complicated history of colonization, exploitation, and displacement. Moreover, the festival takes place amidst the ongoing oppression and violence by the Israeli occupation army in Palestine, which has displaced and killed countless Palestinian people.

The occupation uses cultural events like concerts and workshops to improve its image through terms like coexistence and music, while the Palestinian people continue to face displacement, killing, and arrests on a daily basis.

These events contribute to a cultural normalization that enables the occupation to present itself in a positive light to the world. Thus, the Indigo Festival raises questions about the role of cultural events in perpetuating oppression and normalizing violence.

The Implications of the Indigo Festival

The Indigo Festival’s implications extend beyond the festival itself. The festival’s promotion of coexistence and cultural exchange while taking place on the land of Sinai, which has a complicated history of colonization and displacement, raises questions about the nature of these concepts.

Coexistence and cultural exchange cannot occur without addressing the underlying power dynamics and inequalities that exist. Moreover, cultural events like the Indigo Festival can perpetuate oppression by normalizing violence and erasing the voices of those affected.

The Tea?

The Indigo Festival in Sinai raises important questions about the role of cultural events in perpetuating oppression and normalizing violence. While the festival claims to represent a meeting place for all music and “freedom” lovers, its history and location raise concerns about its significance.

Cultural events cannot occur without addressing the underlying power dynamics and inequalities that exist. As such, we must be critical of cultural events and question their implications.