Keffiyeh – a vehicle of Resistance and Solidarity
Fashion has always been a complex mirror of societal currents, embodying values that range from personal identity to collective resistance. Throughout history, people have used clothing to challenge norms, assert identity, and demand change. Conversely, restrictive clothing norms and dress codes have been used to reinforce social hierarchies and control individual freedoms.
For Palestinians, the keffiyeh has served many different purposes over the decades. It protected farmers from the sun and galvanized support for the Palestinian struggle. Through the years, the patterned cloth absorbed a variety of meanings: an ode to freedom, a nod to heritage, and a symbol of national identity.
Festivals have transformed into multifaceted experiences that go beyond entertainment. In recent years, they have become platforms for cultural exchange, social movements, and even activism. As festival-goers use their platforms—whether social media or in-person participation—they are shaping these events into spaces of advocacy, activism, and community engagement. People want to make a statement, not just enjoy the moment.
SOFIA TZOULAS
(she/her) 24
IG @sofiathina
Ⓠ What does wearing the keffiyeh represent/mean to you? And/or What do you want people to know when they see you wearing a keffiyeh?
Ⓐ I’m wearing keffiyeh to symbolize solidarity with Palestinians and to celebrate the Palestinian culture and spirit.
Ⓠ Have you ever viewed fashion as a political tool?
Ⓐ Fashion has always been political. It is a powerful tool for expressing yourself and taking a stand.
Ⓠ Have you experienced something negative when wearing the keffiyeh?
Ⓐ So far, it has only led me to some amazing conversations!
Ⓠ Do you have a Palestinian food, music, movie, artist, or other cultural aspect that inspires you, and you’d like to share it with us?
Ⓐ Palestinian culture inspires me overall, as it’s so rich and deeply rooted. I’ve been listening to this Palestinian musician called Nemahsis lately, so I wanted to share that.
The keffiyeh, as a symbol of solidarity, offers a powerful visual and cultural narrative. It emphasizes unity with marginalized voices while reclaiming something that’s both political and personal. It highlights how we can use clothing thoughtfully to challenge privilege, recognize shared humanity, and make bold statements that resonate far beyond style alone.
MARIE – GRACE
(they/them) 26
IG @maluwizz
Ⓠ What does wearing the keffiyeh represent/mean to you?
Ⓐ I want to show my support and love to Middle Eastern people.
Ⓠ Have you ever viewed fashion as a political tool?
Ⓐ Fashion is everything, but primarily for me, it’s a powerful tool to show perseverance, strength, and resilience. It is also a perfect way of saying ‘’fuck you’’ without actually saying it.
My whole life, I’ve worn clothes that will shake some norm. When I was a kid, I burned my dress to show my parents that no one could make me wear what I didn’t want to wear.
I used to wear a hat at church to piss off the pastor. He told me to remove it one day, and I refused. We got into a massive argument in front of the whole church! I told him to show me where it said that ‘’women aren’t allowed to wear hats’’ in the Bible. He made everyone go through the entire bible. Funnily enough, no one found the line, and my ego won that day. After all, I had studied the Bible and knew I was right.
Ⓠ Have you experienced something negative when wearing the keffiyeh?
Ⓐ Of course I have. I know I will get unnecessary looks and comments when I wear it because people are ignorant about what the keffiyeh represents and stands for.
Ⓠ Do you have a Palestinian food, music, movie, artist, or other cultural aspect that inspires you, and you’d like to share it with us?
Ⓐ I’ve been listening to Palestinian Rap, and it goes so hard!!! I have also cooked delicious Palestinian fava beans, which I bought from Alanya Market.
But while this garment is a powerful symbol of resistance and freedom, the keffiyeh has also been maliciously branded by the West as a symbol of terrorism and the threat of violence. Just pay attention to how terrorists are portrayed in mainstream media in movies, television, and pop culture.
When you hear the word “terrorist,” who do you picture? Chances are, it is not a white person. The false narrative teaches us terrorists are always (brown) Muslims. Police in France and Germany have cautioned, fined, or detained people wearing a keffiyeh. The Australian state of Victoria has ruled that MPs cannot wear keffiyeh scarves in parliament. Wearing a keffiyeh in the West has led to criminalization, employment and academic repercussions, and even outright violence.
MERIAM TRABELSI
(they/them) 33
IG @meriamtrabelsiog
Ⓠ What does wearing the keffiyeh represent/mean to you? And/or What do you want people to know when they see you wearing a keffiyeh?
Ⓐ I want people to be reminded of the Palestinian people and our responsibility to fight against the genocide in Gaza but also all over the world, even at the moments when we are celebrating and enjoying life, even at Flow Festival. None of us are free until we are all free.
Ⓠ Have you ever viewed fashion as a political tool?
Ⓐ I think fashion is very political and an easily accessible way to make statements and change narratives. I play a lot of SWANA music in my sets, so this outfit represents my stance against misogyny and modesty politics in the SWANA region.
Ⓠ Have you experienced something negative when wearing the keffiyeh?
Ⓐ There has been some angry yelling from passing cars and long stares from people.
Ⓠ Do you have a Palestinian food, music, movie, artist, or other cultural aspect that inspires you, and you’d like to share it with us?
Ⓐ I’m currently inspired by Palestinian poetry, especially Mahmud Darwish’s poem Ana Mn Honak ( أَنَا مَنْ هُنَاكْ ), which has been on my mind lately. The Arabic language is so beautiful; I wish I could talk and write it fluently!
“Your privilege isn’t something to be ashamed of: it is a blanket you are called on to wrap around as many people as you can in your lifetime.”
I read activist and educator Justine Abigail’s story of her keffiyeh as her blanket of privilege, and that’s precisely what it is for many of us, non-Palestinian, Arab, or Muslim descent. In this case, wearing the keffiyeh in solidarity with the Palestinian cause is an admirable and powerful act of resistance—and a fashion statement at its finest.
MERI MILASH
(she/her) 41
IG @merimilash
Ⓠ What does wearing the keffiyeh represent/mean to you? And/or What do you want people to know when they see you wearing a keffiyeh?
Ⓐ I wear it to show solidarity and honor the Palestinian culture and people.
Ⓠ Have you ever viewed fashion as a political tool?
Ⓐ I consider fashion as a statement. We always say something through it. It may not always be highly political, but our styles reveal much about us and our values.
Ⓠ Have you worn something else in your youth, either a clothing item or a style, to shake the norms?
Ⓐ My biggest statement has always been my hair. I have always shown my love and pride in all Afro-styles.
Ⓠ Have you experienced something negative when wearing the keffiyeh?
Ⓐ Luckily, I haven’t experienced anything super negative, but I have noticed some intense looks.
Ⓠ Do you have a Palestinian food, music, movie, artist, or other cultural aspect that inspires you, and you’d like to share it with us?
Ⓐ One of my favorite Palestinian dishes I have ever made is Kafta bi Bandora. It is meant to be shared, and I highly recommend it.
RENAZ
(she/her) 36
IG @renaz
Ⓠ What does wearing the keffiyeh represent to you?
Ⓐ I’ve been wearing both the Palestinian and Kurdish keffiyeh, which we call jamana at home. To outsiders, they might look the same, but they have different patterns. To me, they represent the same: the same fight, the same resistance. Both communities have been through similar struggles, fights for freedom and the right to exist. I feel proud and strong when I wear them.
Ⓠ Have you ever viewed fashion as a political tool?
Ⓐ Yes, I do view fashion as a political tool. I’ve worn headpieces, jewelry, scarves, shirts with messages, and more—all used to take a stance on something important to me. It sometimes gives me a chance to express my voice without needing to be verbal.
Ⓠ Have you experienced something negative when wearing the keffiyeh?
Ⓐ I’ve received looks that felt negative, and I’ve even been told to take it off.
I felt powerful wearing the keffiyeh during my visit to the European Parliament, and I definitely got some strange looks from some people.
Ⓠ Do you have a Palestinian food, music, movie, artist, or other cultural aspect that inspires you, and you’d like to share it with us?
Palestinian DJ/producer Nanoos is someone I’d really like more people to know about! (instagram @djnanoos)
Credits
Festival goers wearing Keffiyeh at Helsinki’s Flow festival in 2024.
Photography / Sara Urbanski
Interview / Claudia Cifu