- Title: Pottery lanterns 'made in Palestine' shine through Hebron's Ramadan nights
- Date: 2nd May 2021
- Summary: HEBRON, WEST BANK (APRIL 25, 2021) (REUTERS) PALESTINIAN POTTER, 36-YEAR-OLD MOHAMMED AL-NATSHEH, MAKING CERAMIC RAMADAN LANTERNS STAR BEING CARVED IN CERAMIC RAMADAN LANTERN NATSHEH FIXING CERAMIC LANTERN NATSHEH SHOWING CERAMIC LANTERNS NATSHEH PUTTING CERAMIC LANTERNS INSIDE OVEN (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) PALESTINIAN POTTER, MOHAMMED AL-NATSHEH, SAYING: "The idea to make lanterns is because we usually have new ideas connected to the holidays, such as Eid al-Adha, Ramadan, also Christian holidays such as Christmas. So the idea of the lantern came as an item I could gift to a company as part of my advertisement." VARIOUS OF NATSHEH CUTTING AND KNEADING CLAY NATSHEH STRAIGHTENING THE CLAY NATSHEH PUTTING CLAY ON THE POTTERY WHEEL NATSHEH WORKING ON ELECTRIC WHEEL LANTERN MAKING IN PROCESS (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) PALESTINIAN POTTER, MOHAMMED AL-NATSHEH, SAYING: "When I was making the lantern, there was a lot of demand. Many people requested to buy it, it started with one lantern and we are now making hundreds. It's a different lantern than the original one, now they (people) carry a ceramic lantern with a light inside. Some clients ask us to write 'Ramadan Kareem' (happy Ramadan in Arabic) on it, others ask us to write their children's names, so they can use it for different events, all within the Ramadan spirit." VARIOUS OF MAN MAKING AND PAINTING ON CERAMIC LANTERN WORKERS PAINTING AND COLORING CERAMICS RESIDENT OF HEBRON, DIA AL-NATSHEH, LIGHTING THE LANTERN IN LIVING ROOM LIT LANTERN LANTERNS IN FRONT OF FAMILY CHILD (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) HEBRON RESIDENT, DIA AL-NATSHEH, SAYING: "The lantern is the symbol of the holy month of Ramadan, and this Lantern is handmade, produced in Hebron, that's why I bought it because it represents my city, our heritage, and our Palestinian identity. I wanted to show my children the national Palestinian production, and to have it at home." VARIOUS OF JALAL AL-SHARAWI, OWNER OF SHOP SELLING LANTERNS, ORGANIZING PRODUCTS LIT LANTERNS (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) PALESTINIAN SHOP OWNER, JALAL AL-SHARAWI, SAYING: "The lanterns are produced in Egypt, good quality, several sizes, and models. Thank god people bought these lanterns, some people love the metal lanterns, some prefer the wooden ones, while others like the ones made in Egypt." HEBRON, WEST BANK (APRIL 26, 2021) (REUTERS) (MUTE) DRONE FOOTAGE OF BOOTH SELLING LANTERNS
- Embargoed: 16th May 2021 14:55
- Keywords: Hebron Palestinians Ramadan carved ceramics crafts handmade holidays lanterns lights pottery sales
- Location: HEBRON, WEST BANK
- City: HEBRON, WEST BANK
- Country: Palestinian Territories
- Topics: Middle East,Religion/Belief,Society/Social Issues
- Reuters ID: LVA001EB9Q445
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Carefully carving a star into a freshly crafted ceramic lantern, Palestinian potter, Mohammed al-Natsheh, says he created a new, 'made in Palestine' type of Ramadan lantern, out of clay.
Lanterns are a popular decoration during the month of Ramadan, and many are imported into Hebron, the largest Palestinian city, from China, Egypt, and elsewhere.
Hebron craftsmen, once famous for their ceramics, are nowadays struggling to make ends meet as they face increasing competition from cheaper imports.
The 36-year-old Natsheh originally created the ceramic lantern as a way to advertise his work to companies.
The idea was a success and he has now expanded and sold hundreds, he told Reuters, adding that he even started to export the handmade lanterns, sold for about $15 - $22 USD.
"This lantern is handmade, produced in Hebron, that's why I bought it because it represents my city, our heritage, and our Palestinian identity", Hebron resident Dia al-Natsheh told Reuters, adding that he wanted his children to discover Palestinian craft.
(Production: Roleen Tafakji, Nuha Sharaf , Yosri Al-Jamal) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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