This beautiful lighthouse was an art installation in Gaza by Shareef Sarhan (2020). https://www.amostrust.org/shareef-sarhan/ It has of course been destroyed in the genocide. It was built from debris from previous Israeli attacks.

This is just ideas…. I have been wondering what we could do in Ullapool next, to show our belief in peace with justice, equal human rights, international law, kindness and compassion -that is how experience this community; because of the genocide; because something awful is coming; because we can bend the arc of history towards the light; even us here – especially us here.  In these times we have a unique opportunity.  I wonder if it is time for us to come together to do something creative - maybe to build our own Gaza Lighthouse, a beacon.

Practicalities – can we build it from waste? or is natural/biodegradable better/ do we want something that others can copy easily. How about willow or hazel, stems tied with metal cable ties, built into long poles.  Built as panels.   Or built upright with hoops inside.  Notice the spiral structure making the triangles.  Triangles can be pasted by people – tissue strengthened with glue or varnish?  The top would need to be build separately and maybe lifted into place – or lie the main part down to fit the top on.  Lie the main part down to paste the triangles on? – public participation sticking on the triangles.  Could it be on Shore Street?  The sailing club? The blank space opposite the Distillery? Could it be on the harbour?  Movable? even for a tour??? Up for long enough for people to come and see it.  20 feet high?  Big enough to get people to visit?  Lit at night?  ‘If only I were a candle in the dark’ – the poem by Mahmoud Darwish.

Wide community involvement?  Progress each week at the clock, with work in between to keep it moving on fast. Build in a month?  Is it possible? Want to make something that others could emulate? – not too overwhelming? Or more solid and movable, or permanent?  The first of many in different places, of all individual design etc…   Equipping other communities to build lighthouses.  Sending out plans, kits, helping other groups, setting an example…  inspire other communities to do the same.  Bringing out the message of being decent and kind.

What does a lighthouse mean? - Enigmatic can be good – like the red rebels?; the Coming Storm – a warning of what is coming; shelter; refugees; welcome; harbour; beacon, light, a chain of beacons (recalling alarms of fires on hilltops); a symbol; ‘Gaza’s light is spreading’; Gaza is not forgotten; you are safe here;  everyone welcomes you;  we did this together.  All belong.

Interested? – email me at the Joyful Sale joyfulsaleofbrokenobjects@gmail.com