- Title: Bethlehem creates new Christmas shopping hub alongside abandoned road
- Date: 5th December 2021
- Summary: BETHLEHEM, WEST BANK (DECEMBER 3, 2021) (REUTERS) (NIGHT SHOTS) DRONE SHOT OF BETHLEHEM'S OLD CITY AND STAR STREET (MUTE) (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) BETHLEHEM OLD CITY RESIDENT, KRISTIN MAKHLOUF, SAYING: "I was raised in this neighbourhood, there was a period when this neighbourhood was dead, and honestly it was really upsetting. But now when I see that they chose this neighbourhood in order to revive it through this Christmas market, it brings back childhood memories and gets us into the Christmas spirit." VARIOUS OF CHRISTMAS STALLS ON STAR STREET / CROWD MARKET-GOERS BUYING JEWELRY AT STALL STALL MERCHANDISE DISPLAYED ON TABLE (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) BETHLEHEM RESIDENT, SUZAN ABU KUBIA, SAYING: "It's nice for people to bring their kids, to get to know people and to find out about handmade products. It's good to welcome everyone, for everyone to come and to encourage their kids to go out and see the world, instead of sitting in front of the television or on social media. It's very nice." PEOPLE BUYING ITEMS FROM CHRISTMAS STALL STALL-OWNER ARRANGING MERCHANDISE (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) ACCESSORIES DESIGNER PARTICIPATING IN MARKET, BALKIS QUMSIEH, SAYING: "I began (my business) during the coronavirus period, last year, in August 2020, so it was quite difficult to promote these kinds of products. I participated in the Christmas market at Bab El-Deir. This is the first time that they have it here (on Star street). There's a lot of people and a nice atmosphere. It's nice." VARIOUS OF FRUIT JUICE VENDOR MAKING FRESH JUICE (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) FRESH JUICE VENDOR, RAKAN MURAD, SAYING: "It's a really nice initiative, God willing this atmosphere will stay forever and they keep the street open not just during celebrations. They should revive it so that tourists can come through, as they decided in the year 2000." CHRISTMAS LIGHTS CUSTOMERS BUYING JUICE FROM MURAD'S JUICE STALL (SOUNDBITE) (English) TOURIST FROM DENMARK, ANNA KIRSTINE KAAE, SAYING: "It's very unique here, it's very special. You can definitely feel the Christmas spirit for us. It is a beautiful city, it's beautiful with the lights now. So yeah, it feels like Christmas for us." DRONE SHOT OF CHRISTMAS MARKET ON STAR STREET (MUTE)
- Embargoed: 19th December 2021 12:17
- Keywords: Bethlehem Christmas Palestinians West Bank market
- Location: BETHLEHEM, WEST BANK
- City: BETHLEHEM, WEST BANK
- Country: Palestinian Occupied Territory
- Topics: Middle East,Religion/Belief,Society/Social Issues
- Reuters ID: LVA002F6RG11X
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Bethlehem municipality launched its Christmas market on Thursday (December 2) in Star street, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, abandoned since the second Intifada.
Kicking off with a parade featuring Santa Claus and hosting tens of vendors in an open market, Kristin Makhlouf, a resident of the area said it brought back memories of her ‘childhood’ when the street was once a shopping hotspot.
"God willing this atmosphere will stay forever and they keep the street open not just during celebrations. They should revive it, so that tourists can come through," Rakan Murad, a fresh juice vendor added.
The biblical street is part of the Christian Pilgrimage Route which is celebrated as the journey taken by Mary and Joseph during their trip to Bethlehem.
But since the second Palestinian Intifada and following coronavirus restrictions on tourism, the street became largely abandoned with its signature green shopfronts shuttered, until the Christmas market revived it.
(Production: Mohammad Abu Ganeyeh, Yosri Al-Jamal, Zainah El-Haroun, Mustafa Abu Ganeyeh) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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