Palestine News Network (PNN) (Palestine) : "This exhibition is dedicated to Palestinians of the West Bank who cannot enter Jerusalem"

This exhibition is dedicated to Palestinians of the West Bank who cannot enter Jerusalem

12.08.09 - 08:55

Bethlehem / PNN - Osama Hamdan, an architect and the Mosaic Centre Jericho Director, reports this week on the opening of an exhibit of copies of Umayyad Mosaics at Bethlehem’s Peace Center.

The exhibit has been in the works for some time, not only as part of the “Jerusalem as Capital of Arab Culture 2009” events, but also for the singular reason that most Palestinians can no longer reach Jerusalem. The mosaics on display are from the Dome of the Rock, part of the Al Aqsa Mosque compound, in East Jerusalem’s Old City.

After the great success in Ramallah and Nablus, where it has been on display for the last month, the Mosaic Centre Jericho – Committee for the Promotion of Tourism in the Governorate of Jericho, will move the exhibition “The Dome of the Rock mosaics come closer” in the core of Bethlehem. The exhibition is organized on the occasion of “Jerusalem, Capital of Arab Culture 2009” and is under the patronage of the Palestinian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and in cooperation with the Peace Center. The opening is slated for 12 August at 5 in the Peace Center on Manger Square.

The Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, built in 691 AD, is the oldest extant Islamic monument. Its mosaic decoration, which has remained almost entirely in its original state on a huge area of about 1,200 square meters, includes Roman-Byzantine together with Iranian motifs and writings with passages of the Qur’an. Set on a traditional holy site and inspired by traditional artistic elements and methods of construction and decoration, the Dome of the Rock created an entirely new combination of artistic conceptions to fulfill its purpose. It is a most splendid and singular achievement.

Thirteen mosaic artists – four European and nine Palestinian – joined to reproduce part of one of the best art masterpieces ever realized in mosaics, following the ancient techniques and materials. Thanks to their work, the Umayyad mosaics, which are not well known because of their location at the very top of the monument and because the monument is not accessible to the general public, can be seen in all their splendor.

The exhibition is possible thanks to a € 50,000 grant by the European Union, which was awarded as part of the EU’s annual cultural activities program. This program, which promotes Palestinian cultural heritage, was geared this year to support projects that fall within the framework of “Jerusalem, Capital of Arab Culture 2009.” 

The exhibition is dedicated to Palestinians of the West Bank who cannot enter Jerusalem.

For a number of years the Mosaic Centre Jericho has been trying to revive mosaic art, which was so important and relevant in ancient times in the Palestinian Territories, and to provide skilled staff with the training they need in order to be able to carry out in a professional way the preservation and enhancement of this huge heritage. To preserve the cultural heritage of Palestine is not only an opportunity for cultural exchange and dialogue; it is a must for the benefit of the future generations of all humanity. It also represents one of the best opportunities for sustainable development through sustainable tourism for the region.



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