JERUSALEM, March 13, 2017 (WAFA) - The European Union (EU) Monday joined a number of Palestinian cultural organizations to launch their new EU-funded projects, an EU news statement said.
Al-Kamandjati, Assirk Assaghir, First Ramallah Group, Human Supporters Association, Rozana Association, and the Palestinian Circus School organized a launching ceremony at the Palestinian Circus School in Birzeit. A number of performances by the organizations were presented to showcase the planned activities.
"Arts and culture are a force for unity and self-expression and can help to build modern, pluralist, democratic societies,” said Deputy Head of EU Delegation Tomas Niklasson.
“This year‘s cultural projects include a fusion of theatre, music, dance, circus and heritage. They aim to bring Palestinians together to celebrate their traditions and identity in the streets as well as in concert halls," he said.
‘‘The EU is one of the main supporters of the cultural sector in Palestine. We recognize the importance of cultural projects as a way to capture the spirit and rich traditions of Palestine. By promoting Palestinian culture we are also working towards the wider goal of supporting the development of a future Palestinian state as part of the two-state solution,‘‘ he added.
During the ceremony, Khaled Alayyan, the executive director of First Ramallah Group, talked on behalf of the cultural organizations.
"Culture contributes to activating dialogue, promoting shared human values and building bridges across continents through knowledge, cooperation and the exchange of expertise. It unites communities through enhancing tolerance, acceptance and mutual respect. Europe and Palestine share a sea of common values," he said.
The EU continues its support to the Palestinian cultural sector and therefore has just launched a new call for proposals open to Palestinian cultural organizations in order to support joint Euro-Palestinian cultural events all around the country.
The four EU-funded cultural projects launched were awarded following the call for proposals launched in 2016 ‘Support to cultural activities‘ aiming at supporting intercultural exchanges and raising awareness on Palestinian culture, in addition to increasing Palestinian public awareness of EU core values through support to cultural activities in Palestine.
With a total EU support of more than €500,000 for 2017, the projects will carry out a wide range of cultural activities including theatre, music, dance, circus, and heritage. Throughout the coming two years, they will be implemented all over the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza Strip, building capacities of young artists and their cultural organizations and targeting diverse Palestinian audience.
The EU has been one of the key supporters of the cultural sector in Palestine over the five years with an estimated contribution of more than €2,500,000.
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