Palestine Will Be Free: The Story of Hanzala

On Sunday, October 18, 2026, musical collective The Brooklyn Nomads will present Palestine Will Be Free: The Story of Hanzala at Roulette Intermedium in Boerum Hill, Brooklyn. The multidisciplinary performance brings together a nine-piece musical ensemble, Palestinian poet Mosab Abu Toha, and projected visual animation built around one hundred political drawings by Palestinian political cartoonist Naji al-Ali, set alongside archival footage of liberation struggles.

The performance traces the history of displacement and resistance from 1948 to the present day through twelve musical selections addressing childhood, freedom, and the right of return. In 1969, al-Ali created the iconic figure of Hanzala, a barefoot ten-year-old refugee boy standing with his back turned to the viewer, vowing not to face the world or grow older until Palestine was free. Al-Ali was assassinated in London in 1987, but his character remains an enduring global emblem of Palestinian steadfastness. The organizers frame the production as an evening of remembrance and cultural resistance, focusing on the voices and cultural memory of a displaced people amid ongoing war and devastation.

Doors open at 6:00 p.m., though some organizer schedules note 6:30 p.m., with the performance taking place from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (select ticketing schedules cite an end time of 9:00 p.m.). Tickets range from $35 to $175 across multiple tiers and can be purchased in advance through The Brooklyn Nomads. A portion of ticket proceeds will be donated to American Near East Refugee Aid (Anera), the Gaza Soup Kitchen, and the People's Forum, with the remainder supporting participating musicians, animators, and sound engineers.

Roulette Intermedium is wheelchair accessible with a step-free entrance and auditorium seating. The event features live Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) captions projected next to the stage, assistive listening receivers at the box office, and a relaxed seating area. For inquiries or access accommodations, contact [email protected].