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 Palestinian Folklore Exhibition: Project Proposal

 

Introduction:

 

Palestinian heritage has been extremely affected by the ongoing conflict over the past decades. Traditions that have prevailed for generations are becoming increasingly difficult to preserve under the current circumstances. For instance, the Palestinian dress usually worn at traditional occasions, weddings or parties are seldom used today, and the embroideries produced by our grandparents are gradually disappearing.

 

Israeli occupation has damaged the social life of Palestinian people. The hardships they suffer, such as closures, roadblocks, curfews, economic depression, poverty and insecurity, have hindered the preservation and development of their traditions and customs.  Moreover, some operations and actions were directly aimed at eradicating or stealing Palestinian memory and culture.

 

For these reasons, we are encouraged to defend our culture and make it known to the rest of the world. We believe awareness of our folklore around the globe would have a positive effect on our struggle for self-determination and identity. We wish to express our humanity, by exhibiting our traditional dances, dress style, music, literature, customs and ways of life.

 

Institutional Background:

 

An-Najah National University is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Palestine. Since its foundation in 1918 as a school and college, it has constantly evolved into a fully-grown and developed university. It is located in the city of Nablus, at the heart of the West Bank. The University is proud to have an ever growing body of students that now stands at approximately 9 000, with 600 staff and faculty members.  

 

The Zajel Youth Exchange Program, an integral part of the Public Relations Department, was established in 2001. It originated from a dream to develop an exchange program that brings together youth of diverse regions and backgrounds from around the world in order to interact with and learn about Palestinian society. Through the different projects initiated by Zajel Youth Exchange Program, a great number of young people worldwide have had the opportunity to experience life under occupation, as well as express and discuss their views about the Palestinian question together. Our program includes summer work camps for internationals, study visits and video conferences organized with other universities worldwide. 

 

Zajel seeks to create a dynamic learning environment for cultural understanding, and to provide experience in sharing and partnership in order to achieve better appreciation and respect between people.  Overall, its goal is to build a wide network of young people willing to make a difference and truly act as democratic leaders for change in their societies.

 

For more information about our university and the youth exchange program, you may visit our website: www.najah.edu

 

 

 

Summary of the project:

 

Media in the West often creates false perceptions and a negative image about the Palestinians and their struggle for freedom from Israeli occupation. Few reporters spend any time of consequence in the West Bank, due to the lack of security and comfort that characterizes the area. Therefore, most people have no real concept and understanding of Arabic or Palestinian culture, heritage and customs or knowledge of the region’s history. The exhibition we propose aims at counteracting these negative perceptions, by exposing another face of Palestine and Palestinians, aspects of their lives and culture which are not shown on television or in the daily news.

 

The exhibition would be composed of various materials that make up Palestinian folklore, such as embroideries, music, videos, photos and prints of Palestinian way of life, poems, sayings. These, coupled with information about the historical, political and geographical background of Palestine, as well as explanations given by Palestinian representatives, will contribute to narrowing the gap between Palestinians and the hosting countries, as well as promoting mutual understanding and respect. Furthermore, the local Palestinian participants in the exhibition will provide first hand accounts of daily life in the Occupied Territories.

 

Importance of the Palestinian Folklore:

 

Folklore is defined as the traditions, customs, tales, sayings and art forms preserved among a people. The progress of a nation does not come from entirely abandoning the old, but by uncovering and taking what is best from it, and building upon it. Each nation has a need to increase its ties with its folklore, as folklore is inextricably linked to the nation’s identity. Especially in a context of resistance, the safeguarding of identity takes on additional meaning and relevance.

 

Folklore evolves as the society progresses, it moves from one generation to the next. Therefore, understanding the folklore of the Palestinian society is of great significance in understanding the development of this society over the years.

 

Palestinians have a national duty to revive, study and expose their folklore. Palestinian universities play a major role in these efforts, as they stand at the heart of knowledge and education. Awareness of this responsibility has incited An-Najah National University to initiate this project.

 

 

Objectives:

 

  • To break the cultural isolation of Palestinian society caused by the occupation.

 

  • To promote Palestinian traditions and culture, which suffer from erosion and eradication.

 

  • To provide a better understanding of Palestinian identity and reveal how life prevails under occupation.

 

  • To offer an insight into the life and thoughts of the people living in Palestine.

 

  • To provide a clearer picture about the history behind this conflict.

 

  • To raise awareness of issues surrounding Palestinian culture and identity, such as the difficulties of                                                                                    defending Palestinian heritage.

 

  • To allow Palestinians to find out how they are viewed from abroad.

 

  • To promote international links and mutual understanding.

 

  •  To encourage international artistic and cultural exchange.

 

 

 Practicalities:

 

  • Time and Duration:

 

The exhibition could be held any time of the year, as agreed upon with the host organisation.

The duration of the exhibition would be between 3-5 days.

   

  • Location:

 

In the hosting country, in a venue chosen and financed by the host organisation.

 

  • Material required from the hosting organisation for the duration of the exhibition:

 

-          Laptop

-          LCD projector

-          CD and cassette player

-          Electronically support for the exhibition during the show

-          Advertisement and invitations for the exhibition

 

Material provided by Zajel Youth Exchange Program:

 

  • Budget:

 In order to implement the project, Zajel requires the following financial support to afford the exhibitions expenses:

 

-          Return travel tickets from Amman/Jordan to the hosting country for the two Palestinians who will organize and run the exhibition

-          Expenses for a venue for the exhibition in the hosting city

-          Accommodation for the two local Palestinian organizers for the duration of the exhibition

-          Advertissement and promotion of the exhibition

 

We also request your assistance in the following:

 

-          To help our delegation in obtaining the visa and getting permission to run the gallery from       the authorities in the hosting country

-          To invite journalists (newspapers, radio, TV) to the exhibition.

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