Benedict Cumberbatch Recites Palestinian Poet Mahmoud Darwish at london Gaza Fundraiser
LONDON – Actor Benedict Cumberbatch delivered a recitation of the poem “We Travel Like Other Travelers” by Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish at a fundraising event held in london on May 15, 2024, to benefit medical aid for Gaza. The event, organized by the Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP), aimed to raise funds for emergency medical care in the region amid ongoing conflict.
The recitation, part of a larger program featuring artists and public figures, underscores a growing wave of support within the arts community for humanitarian relief efforts in Gaza. The conflict, wich escalated substantially on October 7, 2023, has resulted in a severe humanitarian crisis, overwhelming Gaza’s healthcare system and creating urgent needs for medical supplies and personnel. MAP has been working to provide essential medical assistance to Palestinians for decades,and this fundraiser seeks to bolster their capacity to respond to the current emergency.
Cumberbatch’s participation was highlighted by MAP on social media,with a link to the full video of the event shared via Instagram (@tp4live) and a reel available at https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOvZv_YEtLU/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==. Darwish, considered one of the moast important Palestinian poets, frequently explored themes of exile, identity, and resistance in his work, making his poetry a resonant choice for an event focused on Palestinian suffering and resilience.
Mahmoud Darwish (1941-2008) became a national symbol for the Palestinian people through his verses, which have been widely translated and celebrated internationally. His work often reflects the experience of displacement and the longing for a homeland. The selection of his poem by Cumberbatch adds a layer of cultural and political meaning to the fundraising effort.
