A Field Happening – Now 2025 brought together more than 85 participants across the day at Holyrood Park, creating a powerful shared space for reflection, solidarity and connection. Conceived as a small act of resistance in support of those facing oppression, apartheid, genocide and state violence across the world, the event offered those attending an opportunity to come together through creativity, movement and collective care. 

The day was marked by hope, joy and a strong sense of community. Participants were invited to take part in movement scores, games, singing and shared reflection, opening space for dialogue, connection and embodied response. A dabke workshop led by Nancy Ahmar, alongside Palestinian food shared by Rima Kitchen Edinburgh, enabled participants to celebrate and engage with Palestinian culture in a meaningful and generous way. 

Through a collaborative exchange with Al-Harah Theater and the Baladi Center for Culture and Arts in Palestine, participants also connected directly with young people in Palestine, who sent a filmed dance for those attending to learn and respond to during the event. This exchange became a moving point of connection between dancers in Edinburgh and young dancers in the West Bank and has since been edited into a short film by Tao-Anas Le Thanh. 

Live music from Luci Holland and Jed Milroy of Tinderbox Collective, together with thoughtful contributions from Protest in Harmony Choir and Art for Grown Ups, sustained the atmosphere throughout the day and encouraged people to participate, listen, move and gather. We are grateful to Hannah Draper and Skye Reynolds, who supported the event as Associate Artists. 

 Special thanks to everyone who contributed on the day as a participant or as a witness.

Thank you to David McCulloch and staff at Historic Environment Scotland | Marina Barham & George Matar at Al-Harah Theater Palestine | The staff and young dancers at The Baladi Center for Culture & Arts

Curious Seed is building a relationship towards a future collaboration with the Al-Harah Theater in Palestine.  Al-Harah Theater, established in 2005, is a non-profit organisation based in Beit Jala, Bethlehem.  Al Harah Theater aims to produce theatre that is well-crafted yet moving, challenging yet accessible, essential, honest and, like Curious Seed, believe that performance has the potential to change the lives of those who make it and those who watch it. 

Please consider reading more about and donating to their work: Fundraiser by Diane Thornton : Al Harah Theater: A Voice for Theatre & Culture in Palestine (gofundme.com) 

Baladi Center for Culture and Arts is an independent artistic cultural center based on voluntary work, and believes in the positive change of the society and the acceptance of the other. It is the continuation of Baladi Dance Group founded in 1991.