Palestine: Land of Olives and Vines

Photochrom print collection (Holy Land)
Located in the Central Highlands between Nablus and Hebron, just a few kilometers southwest of Jerusalem, lies the remarkable site of Battir. This breathtaking hill landscape is characterized by a series of fertile valleys known as widian, adorned with stunning stone terraces. These terraces serve a variety of purposes, with some being used for market garden production and others adorned with flourishing grapevines and olive trees.
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United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Reports: Occupied Palestinian Territory

Old City, Hebron, Palestine
Israel exercises direct control over the 20 per cent of Hebron City, known as H2, which is home to some 33,000 Palestinians and a few hundred Israeli settlers. This area has witnessed multiple cycles of violence in the context of continuing settlement activities, which are in contravention of international law.
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NGOs Denounce EU Commission Statement

EU Chief Von Der Leyen
Palestinian civil society organizations, undersigned, firmly condemn and reject the recent statement made by the EU Commission President, celebrating Israel's "Independence" day while employing racist anti-Palestinian rhetoric and disregarding Palestinian history and the Nakba atrocities. These remarks deviate from fundamental political and diplomatic principles and shamelessly favor the occupying state, which perpetuates persecution, aggression, and state terrorism against the Palestinian people.
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Birthplace of Jesus: Church of the Nativity and the Pilgrimage Route, Bethlehem

Birthplace of Jesus: Church of the Nativity and the Pilgrimage Route, Bethlehem
The inscribed property is situated 10 km south of Jerusalem on the site identified by Christian tradition as the birthplace of Jesus since the 2nd century. A church was first completed there in ad 339 and the edifice that replaced it after a fire in the 6th century retains elaborate floor mosaics from the original building. The site also includes Latin, Greek Orthodox, Franciscan and Armenian convents and churches, as well as bell towers, terraced gardens and a pilgrimage route.
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The Palestinian Hikaye

Palestinian Traditional Songs in Art center of Attara Village. Photos courtesy of UNESCO Ramallah Office.

The Palestinian Hikaye A Unique Narrative Tradition Practiced by Women The Palestinian Hikaye: A Unique Narrative Tradition Practiced by Women The Palestinian Hikaye is an extraordinary narrative tradition exclusively practiced by women. These fictional tales have evolved over centuries and shed light on current concerns within Middle Eastern Arab society, particularly focusing on family issues. Through the Hikaye, women provide…

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Arabic calligraphy: knowledge, skills and practices

Embroidery of Arabic calligraphy on Kiswat Al Ka'aba
Arabic calligraphy is the artistic practice of handwriting Arabic script in a fluid manner to convey harmony, grace and beauty. The practice, which can be passed down through formal and informal education, uses the twenty-eight letters of the Arabic alphabet, written in cursive, from right to left. Originally intended to make writing clear and legible, it gradually became an Islamic Arab art for traditional and modern works.
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Hebron / Al-Khalil Old Town

Architectural details in Hebron Old City
Explore the enchanting Hebron/Al-Khalil Old Town, where local limestone beautifully shapes the architecture. This UNESCO World Heritage site, dating back to the Mamluk period (1250-1517), offers a captivating glimpse into the past. At the heart of the town lies Al-Ibrahimi Mosque, also known as the Tomb of the Patriarchs. This sacred compound, built in the 1st century AD, safeguards the tombs of Abraham/Ibrahim and his family. It has become a revered pilgrimage site for followers of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
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The art of traditional embroidery in Palestine

The art of traditional embroidery is widespread in Palestine.
The art of traditional embroidery is widespread in Palestine. Originally made and worn in rural areas, the practice is now common in all of Palestine and among members of the diaspora. Women’s village clothing usually consists of a long dress, trousers, a jacket, a headdress and a veil. Each of these garments is embroidered with a variety of symbols including birds, trees and flowers.
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