Fossil Colonialism & the Art of Protest

Fossil Colonialism & the Art of Protest is a series exploring the effects of fossil colonialism across different countries. This edition focuses on South-West Asia, or the ‘Middle-East’, with a spotlight on Palestine, Iraq, and the Armenian highlands. We bring together artists, speakers, and activists to share their perspectives.

The program features talks, stories, music, dance, and spoken word performances by Palestinian, Iraqi, Armenian and other participants. Expect personal and political stories that highlight how climate change is deeply tied to Western colonialism, fossil fuels, and the destruction of both people and nature. At the same time, these stories also reflect on resistance and resilience.

The link between genocide and environmental destruction, from Armenia to Palestine, will be addressed, along with the oil wars, including Iraq’s invasion, co-planned with Royal Dutch Shell. This informative afternoon explores fossil colonialism and the art of protest for a better future.

Guests include dancer Amira al Rawi, singer Ali Al Faseeh, storyteller and musician Rasha Hilwi, activists and poets Chris and Max de Ploeg Bedoyan, climate researcher Shivant Jaghroe, olive farmer Baha Hilo and story-teller and activist Sobhi Khatib.

This program follows the Shell and the Art of Protest series.

More information about Fossil Colonialism & South-West Asia:

The borders of South-West Asia, or the Middle East, were drawn by Britain and France in 1916, dividing the world’s largest untapped oil reserves between them. Western corporations like Royal Dutch Shell and British Petroleum profited enormously while giving little to local populations. After decolonization, many countries nationalized their oil industries, which led to Western-backed regime changes.

The impact of fossil colonialism continues today. In 2023, Armenians in Artsakh were ethnically cleansed by Azerbaijan with Western support, as European and American corporations profit from Azerbaijan’s gas. Around the same time, Israel began its assault on Gaza, aiming to control gas reserves off the coast. The drive for power and profit from fossil fuels continues to devastate people and the planet. This program hopes to raise awareness and give a platform to those who live these realities.