- Title: WEST BANK: Briton teaches Palestinians ancient art of icon painting
- Date: 1st December 2013
- Summary: BETHLEHEM, WEST BANK (RECENT) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF STUDENTS WORKING ON THEIR ICONS IN A WORKSHOP IN BETHLEHEM BRITISH DIRECTOR OF THE BETHLEHEM ICON CENTER, IAN KNOWLES, SHOWING NUN STUDENT HOW TO PAINT ICON VARIOUS OF KNOWLES PAINTING ICON (SOUNDBITE) (English) IAN KNOWLES, DIRECTOR OF THE BETHLEHEM ICON CENTER, SAYING: "If you talk to some of the art historians they will tell you it began in Constantinople. Most people think it is a Greek art, but my research which I have conducted over the last five years suggests that iconography actually began here in Palestine during the Byzantine era." VARIOUS OF NUN PAINTING ICON NUN BLOWING ON ICON TO MAKE IT DRY ICONS ON SHELVE (SOUNDBITE) (English) IAN KNOWLES, DIRECTOR OF THE BETHLEHEM ICON CENTER, SAYING: "When Jesus was born God gave us an image of himself. Christians believe Jesus is truly God and truly man. So when you see the face of Jesus you are looking in some way at the face of God. So Christmas is when that face was first shown to the world. That's why we can make images, we can make icons because God has given us that image himself. So to do that in Bethlehem, where the first image was manifested, shown, has a deep significance. It's very beautiful." PRIEST BLESSING THE CENTER AND THE ICONS ICON FOR JESUS (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) ISSA THALGIYEH, ORTHODOX PRIEST FROM BETHLEHEM, SAYING: "Today I blessed the center to help them become stronger with faith in what they are doing, because the icons that they make are very hard to make and they need ability and patience to do them. The icons mean a lot for us as Orthodox especially here in the Church of the Nativity." VARIOUS OF STUDENT PAINTING ICON (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) JUDEH FAKOUSEH, STUDENT FROM BETHLEHEM, SAYING: "When I have free time after university I come here to study. And I hope that this school will continue and that will become famous as a Palestinian school for making icons. This would be great, if it happens I would love to stay in this field." VARIOUS OF STUDENT DRAWING ICON ICON FOR JESUS AND VIRGIN MARY SHOPKEEPER ARRANGING ICONS MORE OF ICONS (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) NABIL GAKAMAN, SOUVENIRS SHOP OWNER, SAYING: "There are many important kinds of souvenirs that we should have in the store and one of the most important kinds are the icons, because the icons are a holy thing for Christians and especially for the Orthodox, and generally for all Christians. So it is one of the important things that we have in our shops and we benefit from them a lot, as well as other items. Each person has his taste, and the icons are the best selling kind of souvenirs." TOURIST IN SOUVENIR SHOP ICONS ON DISPLAYED IN SHOP MORE OF TOURIST LOOKING AT ICONS ICON IN THE CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY MORE OF ICONS IN THE CHURCH TOURISTS IN CHURCH BELL TOWERS OVER CHURCH EXTERIOR OF CHURCH
- Embargoed: 16th December 2013 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: West bank
- City:
- Country: Palestinian Territories
- Topics: Arts
- Reuters ID: LVA8D0THB1DDMF280CS4KGEHQISH
- Story Text: In an old vaulted room in the shadow of the famous Nativity Church in Bethlehem, a small group of painters led by British artist Ian Knowles learn the intricate techniques of the ancient art of icon paining.
With the help of the British enthusiast, icon painting is making its return to the Holy Land and regaining its place in a centuries-old tradition.
"If you talk to some of the art historians they will tell you it began in Constantinople. Most people think it is a Greek art, but my research which I have conducted over the last five years suggests that iconography actually began here in Palestine during the Byzantine era," said Knowles.
Knowles started his Bethlehem icon centre two years ago, teaching his students the subtle techniques involved in painting the designs. He believes the art of icon painting can hold a deep significance for Christians.
"When Jesus was born God gave us an image of himself. Christians believe Jesus is truly God and truly man. So when you see the face of Jesus you are looking in some way at the face of God. So Christmas is when that face was first shown to the world. That's why we can make images, we can make icons because God has given us that image himself. So to do that in Bethlehem, where the first image was manifested, shown, has a deep significance. It's very beautiful," Knowles added.
The centre and the icons are blessed by an Orthodox priest from Bethlehem.
"Today I blessed the center to help them become stronger with faith in what they are doing, because the icons that they make are very hard to make and they need ability and patience to do them. The icons mean a lot for us as Orthodox especially here in the Church of the Nativity," said the priest, Issa Thalgiyeh.
The six students Knowles is teaching at the moment -- four Palestinians, an Egyptian Coptic nun and a French nun -- all use the finest materials to create their icons using real gold leaf as they follow the instructions of their British teacher.
One of those student, Judeh Fakouseh from Bethlehem, is a University student who comes to the centre to study iconography during his free time.
"When I have free time after university I come here to study. And I hope that this school will continue and that will become famous as a Palestinian school for making icons. This would be great, if it happens I would love to stay in this field," said Fakouseh.
Knowles has a plan for the centre to continually work while he markets the icons, made in Bethlehem, to churches and customers across Britain and Europe.
Some icons take weeks to create, others months if not longer, and Knowles said the starting price for the work is 500 U.S. dollars.
Souvenir shops in Bethlehem have sections dedicated to icons which shop owners say are among the most popular items bought by tourists.
"There are many important kinds of souvenirs that we should have in the store and one of the most important kinds are the icons, because the icons are a holy thing for Christians and especially for the Orthodox, and generally for all Christians. So it is one of the important things that we have in our shops and we benefit from them a lot, as well as other items. Each person has his taste, and the icons are the best selling kind of souvenirs," said Nabil Gakaman, a souvenir shop owner.
With Christmas soon approaching, and tourists expected to flock to religious sites like Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity, shopkeepers and artists alike are hopeful that their icon paintings will be snapped up by those visiting the region. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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