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Shrinking Space and the construction of bordersChristiane Dabdoub Nasser in conversation with Leila Sansour and Jacob Norris about her book, “A moon will Rise”. Topics of interest range from Bethlehem families in Palestine and across the globe, to the unrelenting construction of borders across Palestine/Syria/Lebanon and Brexit. -
Education for Tourism, Pilgrimage and Cultural Heritage in BethlehemThis panel responds to the demands of a ‘new tourism’ emerging in Bethlehem, Beit Sahour, and Beit Jala following the period of Covid lockdown, continuing occupation, and the urgent need to consider the relationships between Palestinian/Bethlehemite society/culture and cultural heritage -
“Power is the ability not just to tell the story of another person, but to make it the definitive story of that person”A discussion between Iraqi writer Haifa Zangana and journalist Victoria Brittain about Palestinian women who have written about their experiences as ex-prisoners. They also discuss The Palestine Book Awards, and how it offers an important platform for Palestinian voices. -
Tastes of the Levant: Arak and KunafehNader Muaddi, founder of the award-winning Muaddi Craft Distillery on the outskirts of Bethlehem talks to British-Lebanese author and wine writer Michael Karam about Arak, the world’s oldest distilled spirit. Fiona Dunlop, travel and food culture writer will talk about Kunafeh and guide us through a tasting. -
BCF x Habibti presents: Watermelon Womxn: a musical journey through PalestineArtistic talk from DJ Hiba Salameh with performances from LUMA, Tasneim Zyada, Yaz and Jeneen plus Q & A with the artists, moderated by LUMA. Income from ticket sales contribute towards Bethlehem Cultural Festival’s venue hire costs. Net proceeds to go to support MSF work in Gaza -
BCF x Habibti presents: Watermelon Womxn: a musical journey through PalestineArtistic talk from DJ Hiba Salameh with performances from LUMA, Hiba and Nada Shawa plus Q & A with the artists, moderated by LUMA. Income from ticket sales contribute towards Bethlehem Cultural Festival’s venue hire costs. Net proceeds to go to support MSF work in Gaza
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Palestine: The continued struggle for survivalBiosAbdelfattah Abusrour, PhD Dr. Abdelfattah Abusrour who will speak about cultural resistance and the survival of the Palestinian nation Abdelfattah Abusrour is founder and director of Alrowwad Cultural and Arts Society, established in 1998 in Aida Refugee Camp, Bethlehem. His concept and philosophy “Beautiful Resistance”, focuses on using performing and visual arts, culture and education, as a creative and peaceful expression in situations of oppression and trauma to provide possibilities to save lives and inspire hope and build peace within individuals to be peace builders in their communities and beyond. Abusrour is an author, actor, and theatre director, with a PhD in Biological and Medical Engineering from France in 1993. In 2005, he abandoned his career in Biology because he believed in the power of arts and culture as pure humanity where stereotypes vanish and people are on equal grounds. These are the bridges that people can build together as equals to shape a better future for all the generations to come.Dr Zahira Jaser Dr Zahira Jaser is an Italian-Palestinian Associate Professor at the University of Sussex Business School, where she convenes modules in leadership, diversity, and applied research (at Undergraduate, MSc and MBA level). She is the Director of the MBA program. Her research and writing focus power in hierarchical settings, and lately on the impact of anti-Palestinian racism in organizations and society. Her research and writings have been featured in popular (Science, the Financial Times, The Guardian, the BBC, Wired, the Harvard Business Review and the MIT Sloan Management Review) as well as academic publications (the Journal of Management Studies, Organization Theory, Organization Studies, Academy of Management Learning and Education Journal, Political Psychology and Leadership).Amy Abdelnoor (Moderator) Amy Abdelnoor is a writer and teacher. While studying English and Arabic at Trinity Hall, Cambridge, she reconnected with her Arab family roots, living in Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon and later under Israeli military occupation in the West Bank during the second intifada. Her debut novel, Ever Land, grew out of these experiences. It was shortlisted for the 2023 Lucy Cavendish Fiction Prize and has been acquired by Hutchinson Heinemann, Penguin Random House, and will be published in 2026. She now lives in Essex with her husband and three children. Alongside writing and teaching English at secondary level, she is a member of Critical Collective, a woman’s group advocating against racism and crimes against humanity. While waiting for the publication of her novel, you can find her work on Electronic Intifada and Substack. -
Bethlehem Cultural Festival: Palestine Short Films + Q&APalestine Islands Maha, a 12-year-old girl, is part of the final generation of Palestinian refugees from the Balata Camp. After seeing her blind grandfather faint, she imagines a crazy project: to make him believe that the Wall of Separation has fallen, thereby making a return to his native land possible. With the help of her friends from the camp, the young girl plans a fun trip for him. Year: 2023Director(s): Julien Menanteau & Nour Ben SalemRun time: 22minsAge cert/warnings: Unclassified 15 Palestine 87 A man fleeing the Israeli army during the First Palestinian Intifada is sheltered by two strangers who prevent his capture. Year: 2022Director(s): Bilal AlkhatibRun time: 14minsAge cert/warnings: No rating The Deer’s Tooth A young man in a refugee camp sets out on a perilous journey to fulfil his little brother’s wish: to throw his baby tooth into the sea. Year: 2024Director(s): Saif HammashRun time: 16 minsAge cert/warnings: No rating Blood Like Water Shadi embarks on a secret adventure, and accidentally drags his family into a trap where they only have two choices; either collaborate with the Israeli occupation, or be shamed and humiliated by their own people. Based on true stories. Year: 2023Director(s): Dima HamdanRun time: 15 minsAge cert/warnings: No ratingAn Orange From Jaffa Mohammed, a young Palestinian, is desperately looking for a taxi to take him through an Israeli checkpoint. The driver, Farouk, discovers that Mohammed has already failed to cross the checkpoint. Trouble begins. Year: 2024Director(s): Mohammed AlmughanniRun time: 27 minsAge cert/warnings: No ratingBiosAbdelfattah Abusrour, PhD Abdelfattah Abusrour is founder and director of Alrowwad Cultural and Arts Society, established in 1998 in Aida Refugee Camp, Bethlehem. His concept and philosophy “Beautiful Resistance”, focuses on using performing and visual arts, culture and education, as a creative and peaceful expression in situations of oppression and trauma to provide possibilities to save lives and inspire hope and build peace within individuals to be peace builders in their communities and beyond. Abusrour is an author, actor, and theatre director, with a PhD in Biological and Medical Engineering from France in 1993. In 2005, he abandoned his career in Biology because he believed in the power of arts and culture as pure humanity where stereotypes vanish and people are on equal grounds. These are the bridges that people can build together as equals to shape a better future for all the generations to come.Dr Cairsti Russell Dr Cairsti Russell is a Media Sociologist at the University of Glasgow and member of the Glasgow University Media Group, and a documentary filmmaker. She is also part of the Bethlehem Cultural Festival’s Glasgow marketing and programming team. A large part of Cairsti’s work explores media and public belief, particularly in relation to Israel and Palestine. Her first feature documentary Freedom to Run explores the restrictions on freedom of movement in Palestine through the lens of marathon running. -
Bethlehem Cultural Festival X Films of Resistance: Love, Hopes and Dreams - A Night of Palestinian CinemaPalestine Islands, 2023, Julien Menanteau & Nour Ben Salem, 22 mins.After seeing her blind grandfather faint, 12 year-old Maha imagines a crazy project: to make him believe that the Wall of Separation has fallen, thereby making a return to his native land possible.Bridging the Borders Award Winner – Palm Springs ShortfestPalestine 87, 2022, Bilal Alkhatib, 14 mins.A man fleeing the Israeli army during the First Palestinian Intifada is sheltered by two strangers who prevent his capture.Golden Tanit Award Winner for Best Short Film – Carthage Film FestivalThe Deer’s Tooth, 2024, Saif Hammash, 16 mins.A young man in a refugee camp sets out on a perilous journey to fulfil his little brother’s wish: to throw his baby tooth into the sea.Official selection – Cannes Film Festival’s La CinefBlood Like Water, 2023, Dima Hamdan, 15 mins.Shadi embarks on a secret adventure, and accidentally drags his family into a trap where they only have two choices; either collaborate with the Israeli occupation, or be shamed and humiliated by their own people. Based on true stories.Iris Prize Award WinnerOrange From Jaffa, 2024, Mohammed Almughanni, 27minsMohammed, a young Palestinian, is desperately looking for a taxi to take him through an Israeli checkpoint. The driver, Farouk, discovers that Mohammed has already failed to cross the checkpoint. Trouble begins.Best International Film Award Winner – Clermont-Ferrand International Film FestivalPlease arrive promptly – we do not show adverts.The shorts will be followed by a Q&A.This screening will support fundraising efforts for Alrowwad Cultural Centre in Aida camp, Bethlehem.
