BIRZEIT, July 12, 2017 (WAFA) – Rozana association Wednesday launched the 9th edition of the Birzeit Heritage week in the Old City of Birzeit.
The festival kicked off with a parade and the traditional wedding ‘Zaffeh’ towards the old town of Birzeit for the ribbon cutting ceremony, then proceeded towards the main stage, passing through the Souq of the Heritage Week.
Then a married couple took part in a traditional Palestinian wedding and bridal Henna in a show that highlights Palestinian traditions and heritage.
Kiosks were set up all along the Old City’s streets which sell everything from food, embroidered items, drinks, soaps, clothes and accessories.
All of these products were made by local and small Palestinian businesses as Rozana aims to support and help promote the development of small communities through using available resources.
The performances for the first day will include Rap Music, traditional music, and plays for children, Dabkeh and a storytelling performance.
Birzeit Heritage Week is organized in cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and in partnership with the Ministry of Culture and Birzeit municipality.
The main sponsor is the European Union, working within a joint project with the Sareyyet Ramallah entitled “Palestine and Europe: Joint Human Values through cultural activities”.
The festival aims to enhance cooperation between the Palestinian cultural centers, activate artistic and cultural activity and networking among the centers, artists and civil society organizations.
In addition, the project aims to identify the Palestinian popular heritage, means of protecting it, promoting freedom of expression and raising awareness on the cultural rights whilst reaching out to the largest and widest possible sector of the public particularly in the underprivileged rural and marginalized areas.
The activity also aims at enhancing the concept of voluntary work among the youth, and developing human capacity in the field of cultural management.
In an official press release, the organizers of the Heritage Week said “With the escalation of oppression and suppression and the continued occupation of land, and while freedom is restricted and those who try to defend rights are silenced, the only way out left for the human conscience is to adhere to heritage.”
M.H
