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In pictures: Free running in Gaza

Two young Gazans have formed a community of performers – rich in talent, passion and spirit despite unemployment.

Artscape - Free Running Gaza
Parkour, or the art of moving, involves moving from one point to another as efficiently and quickly as possible while overcoming obstacles using mainly the capabilities of the human physique [EPA]
Published On 2 Jul 20112 Jul 2011
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Artscape - Free Running Gaza
For the latest generation of young Palestinians to have grown up in the Khan Younis camp, under-educated and unemployed, parkour is the ultimate means of escape [Mariam Shahin]
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Artscape - Free Running Gaza
"Things started simply and we had no idea how obsessed we would become" [Mariam Shahin]
Artscape - Free Running Gaza
The essential definition of parkour is "finding your own way" [Mariam Shahin]
Artscape - Free Running Gaza
Unemployment is extremely high in the Gaza Strip and hundreds of Gazans resort to collecting and selling gravel needed for construction in the enclave [EPA]
Artscape - Free running Gaza
"Camp life is very simple, almost primitive; most houses have asbestos roofs" [EPA]
Artscape - Freee running gaza
"It is not simply about having fun, it is also about challenging yourself" [EPA]
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Artscape - Free Running Gaza
"Parkour is a life philosophy and each person overcomes barriers in their own way" [Mariam Shahin]
"We never imagined something would overshadow the occupation, the wars" [EPA]
Artscape - Free Running Gaza
"When I wanted to go to the sea, the checkpoints would stop me; when I wanted to go to Gaza City, the checkpoints would block my way" [Mariam Shahin]
Artscape - Free Running Gaza
"This sport empowers me to be strong in the face of all these obstacles; it allows me to stay steadfast in the face of this occupation" [EPA]
Artscape - Free Running Gaza
"We practice every day in isolated areas" [Mariam Shahin]
Artscape - Free Running Gaza
"We are facing a lot of resistance from family, from neighbours, from the police" [EPA]
Artscape - Free Running Gaza
"I dream of travelling abroad in order to take part in international competitions" [Mariam Shahin]
Artscape - Free running Gaza
"Parkour is more an art than a sport; it challenges the imagination" [EPA]
Artscape - Free Running Gaza
"It makes you feel like you are defying gravity" [Mariam Shahin]


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