Stars read poetry by Palestinian, Sudanese poets in powerful solidarity event
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- Stars including Kehlani, Lewis Hamilton, Mark Ruffalo, and Rosalía read poetry by Palestinian and Sudanese poets lost to war, organized by Mustafa the Poet.
- The poems, arranged as a cento by Mustafa and Safia Elhillo with music by Dev Hynes, were shared to raise solidarity and aid for both countries.
A remarkable line-up of artists, including Jeremy Allen White, Kehlani, Lewis Hamilton, Mark Ruffalo, Rosalía, and many more, joined forces to read poetry written by Palestinian and Sudanese poets whose lives were tragically cut short by war. The event, organized by the songwriter Mustafa the Poet, took place as a livestream on social media, bringing global attention to the voices of poets lost too soon.
“The words here are by dead poets from Sudan and Palestine, many of them murdered before their time. This is a cento we made for them, for what they left behind,” Mustafa explained.
A cento is a poem composed entirely of verses from other poems, and this unique arrangement was crafted by Mustafa and Safia Elhillo.
The readings featured contributions from artists including Ramy Youssef, Jodie Smith, Safia Mafia, BSmooV, Dani Moon, Dev Hynes, Maria, Shawn Mendes, Ahmed Malek, Daniel Caesar, Tamino, and Anok Yai. The score for the event was created by Dev Hynes or Blood Orange, adding a haunting and emotive musical backdrop to the poetry.
Mustafa emphasized the timelessness of the poets’ words: “The poet lives forever.” Viewers were encouraged to donate aid to both countries and access livestream details for the full show on the 10th via artistsforaid.org.
The event marks a significant moment of solidarity in the arts, amplifying voices from conflict zones and reminding audiences of the enduring power of poetry and collective action in the face of tragedy.
