Exhibition keeps Palestinian heritage, culture alive

AMMAN — Ahmad Nawras has made it a point to visit the Palestinian Cultural Exhibition every year since its launch five years ago, buying items to support Palestinian women who create products of traditional significance. 

“It is really great to see women working on traditional items rather than staying at home all the time. The main reason behind my visit to this exhibition is to support these skilful and great women,” Nawras told The Jordan Times on Saturday as he toured the exhibition.  

He was among several Jordanians who attended the opening of the three-day exhibition, held by the Palestinian Culture Centre at the Jordan Construction Contractors Association in Abdoun with the aim of preserving the traditions and art of Palestine. 

Siham Dabbagh, the president of the centre, said the exhibition features work by 550 Palestinian women residing in refugee camps in Jordan.

“They mainly work in embroidery but we also display traditional meals. We want to expose the traditional products of Palestine to the public and further promote Palestine and its traditions, heritage and art,” Dabbagh told The Jordan Times.  

She recounted that when they first opened the centre in 1991, only old Palestinian women who were still familiar with Palestine’s traditions worked with them.

“These ladies began teaching their daughters the art of Palestinian embroidery fearing that the tradition might fade away. After 20 years, the grandchildren have kept the tradition alive.”

The exhibition, which opens at 10am and closes at 8pm, features items such as handmade accessories and garments, frames, books about Palestine, traditional meals, posters and plates.  

During the opening ceremony, attended by Culture Minister Lana Mamkegh, a number of girls wearing traditional Palestinian dress performed the dabka.

Abeer Taher, who has been a member of the centre for 13 years and helps the women showcase and sell their products, said the exhibition gives people who are unaware of Palestinian heritage a sample of this rich culture.

She said garments were the most popular items on the first day of the event. 

“In the past, young people did not come to these events, but now their number is increasing because they want to learn more about their forefathers’ heritage and history,” Taher noted.