Exhibition seeks to root better future for Palestinians in knowledge of the past
By Megan Bainbridge
Source: Daily Star, 16-9-2008
BEIRUT: An exhibition celebrating Palestinian cultural heritage was held in the UNESCO Palace building on Monday, part of a series of events commemorating the 26th anniversary of the Sabra and Chatila massacres in Beirut's Palestinian refugee camps.
The exhibition was officially opened by Information Minister Tarek Mitri and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) representative in Lebanon, Abbas Zaki. The opening was also attended by 52 Italian, American and British members of an organization called Not to Forget Sabra and Chatila, according to the group's local coordinator, Qasini Aina.
Speaking at the event, Mitri said it was important that both Lebanese and Palestinians "don't forget" about the 1982 massacre, which occurred over a two-day period following the assassination of President-elect Bachir Gemayel.
"This story needs to be told outside Lebanon at a time when many have forgotten about the plight of the Palestinians. We have to bear witness to their suffering and also to their resilience," he added.
Zaki spoke of the situation of the Palestinians in Lebanon, particularly in Sabra and Chatila, requesting that the audience "give us your support."
Stefania Limitei, a member of the Italian section of Not to Forget Sabra and Chatila, intends to do just that.
According the Limitei, the committee aims to "work in solidarity, political and practical solidarity, with the Palestinians," by promoting the right of return and assisting those who remain as refugees in Lebanon. She added that international members visit Lebanon annually to join commemorations of the Sabra and Chatila massacre, because "we think these crimes must be remembered."
She added that cultural events of this sort are "very important for the Palestinian culture and its development, as they want to strengthen their history, identity, culture and unity as a people."
Organizer Khadije Abdelal of the Palestinian Revival Heritage Committee said the exhibition aimed to foster awareness of Palestinian culture and political history.
"We cannot forget the massacre. The event is held in memory of Sabra and Chatila, and the 60th anniversary of al-Nakba," said Abdelal, explaining that the exhibition was also timed to coincide with international events that celebrate the preservation of traditional heritages.
Founded in 1990, the committee works to focus on preserving all aspects of Palestinian heritage, including supporting projects related to folk dances or needlecrafts. In this spirit, the exhibition included stalls displaying traditional Palestinian embroidered clothes, bags and wall-hangings, as well as a selection of black and white hand-drawn cartoons.
Kalthum Ghandour, a representative of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society's department of Palestinian heritage, was displaying embroidered goods at the Red Crescent stall.
Ghandour said her organization encouraged women to work from home, providing them with materials and then on selling the finished items. She added that this project enables cultural knowledge to be transferred between generations, particularly to young teenagers, as well as delivering economic benefits for the women involved.
According to organizers, one of the priorities of the exhibition was to commemorate the past in a way that aids cultural and economic developments for the future.
Source: Daily Star, 16-9-2008
BEIRUT: An exhibition celebrating Palestinian cultural heritage was held in the UNESCO Palace building on Monday, part of a series of events commemorating the 26th anniversary of the Sabra and Chatila massacres in Beirut's Palestinian refugee camps.
The exhibition was officially opened by Information Minister Tarek Mitri and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) representative in Lebanon, Abbas Zaki. The opening was also attended by 52 Italian, American and British members of an organization called Not to Forget Sabra and Chatila, according to the group's local coordinator, Qasini Aina.
Speaking at the event, Mitri said it was important that both Lebanese and Palestinians "don't forget" about the 1982 massacre, which occurred over a two-day period following the assassination of President-elect Bachir Gemayel.
"This story needs to be told outside Lebanon at a time when many have forgotten about the plight of the Palestinians. We have to bear witness to their suffering and also to their resilience," he added.
Zaki spoke of the situation of the Palestinians in Lebanon, particularly in Sabra and Chatila, requesting that the audience "give us your support."
Stefania Limitei, a member of the Italian section of Not to Forget Sabra and Chatila, intends to do just that.
According the Limitei, the committee aims to "work in solidarity, political and practical solidarity, with the Palestinians," by promoting the right of return and assisting those who remain as refugees in Lebanon. She added that international members visit Lebanon annually to join commemorations of the Sabra and Chatila massacre, because "we think these crimes must be remembered."
She added that cultural events of this sort are "very important for the Palestinian culture and its development, as they want to strengthen their history, identity, culture and unity as a people."
Organizer Khadije Abdelal of the Palestinian Revival Heritage Committee said the exhibition aimed to foster awareness of Palestinian culture and political history.
"We cannot forget the massacre. The event is held in memory of Sabra and Chatila, and the 60th anniversary of al-Nakba," said Abdelal, explaining that the exhibition was also timed to coincide with international events that celebrate the preservation of traditional heritages.
Founded in 1990, the committee works to focus on preserving all aspects of Palestinian heritage, including supporting projects related to folk dances or needlecrafts. In this spirit, the exhibition included stalls displaying traditional Palestinian embroidered clothes, bags and wall-hangings, as well as a selection of black and white hand-drawn cartoons.
Kalthum Ghandour, a representative of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society's department of Palestinian heritage, was displaying embroidered goods at the Red Crescent stall.
Ghandour said her organization encouraged women to work from home, providing them with materials and then on selling the finished items. She added that this project enables cultural knowledge to be transferred between generations, particularly to young teenagers, as well as delivering economic benefits for the women involved.
According to organizers, one of the priorities of the exhibition was to commemorate the past in a way that aids cultural and economic developments for the future.
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