Atheer Cultural Radio is a project that strives to support, produce, mediate, and archive aural and sonic cultural productions with the focus on Palestinian tangible and intangible cultural heritage, oral traditions and history. Radio Atheer engages with youth, collectives, and grass-roots, to create dynamic and experimental sonic productions. Radio Atheer focuses its messages and initiatives on youth and cultural audio practitioners in general and serves artists, musicians, journalists, researchers, and podcast makers. The state-of-the art sound laboratory at the Goethe-Institut in Ramallah and the Radio Bus are easily accessible, free and offer a safe environment to record, mix and or audit any and all types of audio productions. The project targets audio professionals with a special focus on underrepresented artists and productions as Atheer would like to support new cultural producers, experimental arts and new audio content. The program’s initiatives also include, job opportunities and grants for audio productions, workshops and residencies in Europe in the field of production, audio art and audio documentation. Radio Atheer encourages partnerships with local cultural institutions and international online radio stations to produce and share critical audio content. The three-year program is jointly funded by the European Union and the Goethe-Institut Ramallah.
An address for the enhancement of Palestinian critical audio content which strives to promote informative critique of local audio content, strengthen civic engagement, increase society’s appreciation of the audio art sector, and ensure the sustainability and continuity of Palestinian cultural heritage. Atheer aims at developing innovative critical audio content, professionalize audio production, enhance cultural journalism skills, and experiment with different types of cultural audio segments/ formats.
Our Vision
A Palestinian society that promotes open exchange of knowledge, equality and freedom of expression through audio art and cultural critique. Atheer's vision is to create a dynamic and experimental sonic productions, with a special focus on underrepresented artists and productions.
Production grants are awarded throughout the project’s years to Palestinian independent artists, practitioners, cultural producers, informal art groups, and grassroots institutions, among others, to produce cultural audio content for Radio Atheer’s online audio platforms. Grants are awarded to individuals or groups with audio production experience. Atheer encourages new and limited cultural audio producers, mainly youth and women, to apply in order to explore and create new approaches in the field of critical cultural audio content. Atheer mainly targets youth from the age group between 18 to 35 years.
European audio professionals and experts are being invited to participate in a unique initiative that involves residing in remote areas of Palestine. Through partnerships with local Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), these professionals collaborate to produce high-quality audio content intended for broadcast on the online platform. This initiative aims to foster cross-cultural exchange and collaboration, leveraging the expertise of European professionals to enhance the diversity and quality of content available on the platform. By working closely with local CSOs, the initiative ensures that the produced content accurately reflects the cultural context and addresses the interests and needs of the Palestinian audience. Through this collaboration, both European experts and local communities can benefit from the exchange of knowledge, skills, and experiences in audio production and storytelling.
Atheer Audio and Podcast Training
The comprehensive training courses aim to enrich participants' theoretical knowledge and refine their practical skills in various aspects of audio content creation, spanning broadcasting, podcasting, streaming, and production. Local Palestinian experts and trainers will impart their expertise, sharing valuable practices, skills, and insights in audio programming with the course attendees. Upon successfully finishing the course, participants are awarded a training certificate jointly issued by the Goethe-Institut and its implementing partners.
Radio Bridges and Job Shadowing Opportunities in Europe
Young Palestinian audio practitioners are offered the opportunity to participate in a concentrated five-day development program in Germany. The program entails visiting European radio stations and platforms, fostering connections, and building bridges for shadowing and on-site learning experiences. To date, Radio Atheer has provided the chance for eight audio practitioners to embark on this journey, which has proven to be immensely valuable. These practitioners have had the opportunity to engage in hands-on learning experiences, shadowing professionals at various European radio stations and platforms. Through this immersive experience, they have gained valuable insights, honed their skills, and established meaningful connections within the European audio industry.
Accomplishments
Radio Atheer is thrilled to announce a significant milestone achieved since the project's inception in 2022 which is the production of over 230 audio podcasts and tracks featuring Palestinian artists and audio practitioners. This accomplishment underscores our commitment to amplifying Palestinian voices and narratives through audio content and cultural critique.
Radio Atheer has successfully reached over 23,000 listeners worldwide, spanning numerous countries including Palestine, Egypt, Germany, Jordan, the USA, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Lebanon, France, Tunisia, the Netherlands, the UK, the UAE, Syria, Canada, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Japan, and beyond. This global reach highlights the impact and resonance of Atheer’s content across diverse audiences and regions.
Additionally, Radio Atheer acknowledges the significance of offering grants to Gaza, especially following the recent sub-granting round. Bisan Odeh's production "Meen Ihna," crafted during the Gaza war, not only illuminated the challenges faced by Gazans but also underscored the resilience, creativity, and storytelling abilities of local talents. By backing such endeavors, Radio Atheer continues to fulfill its vital role in empowering marginalized communities and amplifying their voices on a global platform.
In the forthcoming round, Gaza-based and/or Palestine-based producers will present productions titled "Stories From and About Gaza.” Our thematic emphasis centers on narrating stories originating from Gaza, exploring the lives of individuals through the portrayal of compelling characters and invoking memories associated with cultural or archaeological sites.
The Palestinian Cultural Radio Program - Atheer builds on activities undertaken by the Goethe-Institut Ramallah in the lead up to the new funding and support by the EU. The qualitative research highlighted the need to professionalize audio production and enhance cultural journalism skills, and experiment with different types of cultural audio segments/ formats. In 2019, experts from radio, journalism, and the arts participated in focus groups to shape the program's direction. The 'Overtones Symposium' in October 2019 further refined the project's scope, fostering collaborations with local and international cultural audio practitioners. This symposium, held as part of the RADIONISTS project, explored the politics of listening in Palestine and beyond, featuring exhibitions, conferences, workshops, and sound tours.
Connect With Us
As a relatively new initiative, we are eager to broaden our network both locally and internationally. Whether you're interested in learning more about Radio Atheer, exploring our activities, or seeking opportunities to utilize our studio or platform, we welcome your engagement. Additionally, if you have ideas for potential collaborations, we would be delighted to hear from you. Connect with us through our various social media platforms to start the conversation.
