JERUSALEM: Israeli-Arab students at Jerusalem's Hebrew University celebrate Palestinian Heritage Day

Record ID: 695245

  • Title: JERUSALEM: Israeli-Arab students at Jerusalem's Hebrew University celebrate Palestinian Heritage Day
  • Date: 22nd May 2014
  • Summary: VARIOUS OF BAND SHOW
  • Embargoed: 6th June 2014 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Jerusalem
  • City:
  • Country: Israel
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVABVSMB5C482HN1DV269FWUFCD5
  • Story Text: Arab and Israeli-Arab students celebrated on Wednesday (May 21) Palestinian cultural heritage in the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
    Organised by the Watan Student Movement, the event attracted more than 800 visitors.
    Its organisers say the event aims to revive the Palestinian heritage inside the university.

    "The Palestinian Heritage Day is a day that represents our challenges, existence and Palestinian identity inside the Hebrew University. It is organized by Arab and Palestinian students, we want to keep our national identity," said one of the organisers, Ahmed Assmar.
    Celebrating the event, which is now in its sixth edition, students dressed in traditional Palestinian costumes to pay tribute to their heritage.
    A collection of traditional Palestinian embroidery as well as other cultural crafts were showcased at the event.
    The festival also featured music and dance performances by Palestinian artists including Nazareth-based singer Rim Banna who performed traditional songs on stage.
    One of the people attending the festival said the event is a sign of how much young Palestinians are aware of their history and culture.

    "This event, which holds Palestinian Heritage Day inside the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, is a good achievement by the Arab students. It is not like what the Jews say which is that the old people will die and the young will forget. This event shows the opposite, we still remember," said Lona Shtaie.
    People attending the event made the most of the day, enjoying the music and the traditional Dabka dance.

    "It was really nice to take part in this event, whether through Dabka, clapping or any other activity. It is nice that Palestinians from all the Palestinian areas took part in such an event," said Hebrew University student, Mustafa Barakat.
    The Hebrew University in Jerusalem is Israel's second oldest university and was founded in 1925.
    Around 1,000 Palestinian and Israeli-Arab students are enrolled in the university.
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