Palestinian poet Dareen Tatour imprisoned for her poetry has her words set to music by Daniell Alma Ravitzki

Story Transcript

MARC STEINER: Welcome back here to The Real News Network. I’m Marc Steiner.

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We continue our conversation with Danielle Ravitzki about Eurovision and the boycott going on, but Danielle has composed this music, her new album is coming out, and the music of Dareen Tatour, who is a Palestinian woman, a poet who was jailed in Israel, sent to prison for an anti-Israeli poem, anti-Zionist poem that she wrote, a liberation poem that she wrote. And from what I understand, she and Danielle are friends. And we’re going to come back here to talk to Danielle just about what that meant, why she produced the album. So Danielle, let’s go right to that. Let’s hear a short piece, this little tease. The album’s not out yet, but she shared with us a little bit of the music.

And I don’t know about you, but I liked that piece a lot and I’m looking forward to this entire piece. But let’s talk about the politics of this. So tell me about your relationship with Dareen Tatour and how that came about and how you decided to produce an album with her words, and what this whole controversy was about.

DANIELLE ALMA RAVITZKI: The thing is, she’s a very good friend of mine. And when I first heard about her story, I was completely shocked and embarrassed actually. Because I’m an artist too, and I could only imagine what it’s like to be imprisoned and jailed for your art.

MARC STEINER: So she was in jail for writing a poem, is that right?

DANIELLE ALMA RAVITZKI: Yes, and she was under house arrest for sure for two and a half years. And also, I just thought that she’s very, very talented and I approached her. And at first, I just came to visit her and just kind of show solidarity and speak with her as an artist too. And then I just decided to compose her poetry. She’s a very inspirational woman. I love her.

MARC STEINER: Well, it’ll be interesting to see how this will happen when this album actually comes out, and what blowback you get, what she gets, how the world responds to this. I mean, the little clip I heard sounds lovely music as music. So I’m looking forward to seeing when this all comes through, because this is a very special thing I think you’ve done. And Danielle Ravitzki, thank you so much for joining us here on The Real News Network. It’s been a pleasure to talk with you. Thank you. And I’m Marc Steiner here for The Real News Network. Take care.