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A timeline for Mapping Lessons 

1689

With the aim of legalizing the colonization of North America, philosopher John Locke writes:

"As much land as a man tills, plants, improves, cultivates and can use the product of, so much is his property."

1871

For 100 days, the Parisian proletariat set up a local council to govern their city.

1878

Zionists establish the first colony in Palestine called The Gate of Hope.

1917

The Russian Revolution ends the Tsar’s rule. In the countryside local councils―Soviets―redistribute the nobility’s land to the farmers who tilled it.

Soviet newspaper Pravda publishes the secret Sykes-Picot agreement, detailing a plan to divide up the spoils of World War I: the Ottoman Empire’s territories.

1917

British General Edmund Allenby enters Jerusalem on foot announcing the end of the crusades.

1919

Welcoming the fall of the Ottoman Empire, local councils initiate a period of self-rule in pockets across the region. 

Volunteer fighters attack French military railway transports and mobilize to defend their land against the invading army.

1920

After a decisive victory in battle, the French army enters Damascus and shuts down the local councils.

1921

British and French colonizers demarcate borders of what will become the states of Syria, Palestine, Lebanon and Iraq with piles of stones.

The French redistribute collectively owned farmland―the mashaa’―to landlords collaborating with the occupation.

The British systematically destroy the mashaa’ because it obstructs colonial land settlement.

1920s

The colonized revolt against the French colonizers.

1930s

The colonized revolt against the British colonizers.

1932

The king of Egypt hosts a congress to rationalize Arab music according to European theory and notation.

1936

Across Spain local councils initiate an era of self-rule in villages, cities and workplaces.

1945 

The French colonizers declare Syria an independent state based on its colonial foundation.

1948

Colonial powers welcome the establishment of the colonial state of Israel.

1987

The Palestinian intifada, led by popular committees, poses the biggest threat to the Zionist colonial project since its inception.

1992

Israel crushes the uprising by imposing a pseudo-state structure called the “Palestinian Authority.”

The president of Mexico alters the constitution to allow the privatization of ejido - - land, making up over half of the total land mass of the country.

1994

The Zapatista Army of National Liberation recuperate 2-3,000 mi² of plantation land and occupy seven municipalities in southern Mexico initiating a new era of autonomy

2011

In the wake of the January 25 revolution, popular committees across neighborhoods in Egypt provide security and community services.

Syrians echo the Tunisian chant “the people want the downfall of the system,” forcing the regime out of many parts of the country.

For a time, local councils initiate community self-rule in liberated territories across Syria.

Festival screenings

Ji.hlava Documentary Film Festival (Oct, 2020, World Premiere)

Torino International Film Festival

Qabes Cinema Fen

Goethe Film Days

Documentarist

Archival Assembly #1, Berlin

Sharjah Film Platform

London Palestine Film Festival

Regards Palestine, Montreal

The intervals series, Reina Sofia Museum, Madrid