2009 Arab Capital of Culture

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Alquds Arab Capital of Culture logo

Al-Quds Arab Capital of Culture (Arabic: القدس عاصمة الثقافة العربية) is an initiative undertaken by UNESCO under the Arab Capital of Culture programme,[1] under the Cultural Capitals Program to promote and celebrate Arab culture and encourage cooperation in the Arab region.

The event was scheduled to be held on January 2009, but it was delayed until March due to the 2008-2009 Israel-Gaza Conflict,[2] and it was launched on 21 March 2009.[3]

Launching of the events

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas officially launched the celebration of Jerusalem as the Capital of Arab Culture for 2009 at a ceremony in the West Bank city of Bethlehem on 21 Mar 2009. Simultaneous ceremonies were supposed to take place in Jerusalem, Gaza, Nazareth, and Mar Elias Refugee Camp in Lebanon. These synchronized celebrations in five locations reflect the desire of building a cultural bridge between Palestinian people in Palestine and Palestinians in the diaspora.[3]

Prevention of the events in Jerusalem

Israeli Internal Security Minister Avi Dichter had instructed police in advance to suppress any attempt to hold PNA-sponsored events in the framework of festivities marking the declaration of Jerusalem as 'capital of Arab culture'. According to the Avi, the events would constitute a violation of the interim agreement between Israel and the Palestinians, which includes a clause that forbids the PA from organizing events in Israeli territory.[2] This thwarted all the planned activities sponsored by the PNA from taking place in Jerusalem, which itself was the Arab Capital of Culture for the year 2009.[4]

Acting on Dichter's orders, police shuttered eight planned events, and detained at least twenty organizers and participants for questioning.[5] The blocked events included: A soccer match scheduled to be held at a school on Nablus Road, a conference for young women at the Al-Hiya'la Center also organized by the PNA, and marches in the Wadi al-Joz and Sheikh Jarrah neighborhoods. In addition, a group of Arab students were blocked from rallying at the Temple Mount with PLO flags. A similar ceremony was blocked on the Haroun al-Rashid road.[5] Also, police issued an order preventing an event in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Ras al-Amud celebrating the declaration of Jerusalem as "the culture capital of the Arab world." Another event in the al-Tur neighborhood was also closed.[6].

Reactions to the Prevention of the events in Jerusalem

  • Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas condemned actions taken by the Israeli police to prevent the events in Jerusalem, emphasizing the notion of "there will be no peace without Jerusalem"[7]
  • Knesset member Ahmad Tibi slammed police activity in Jerusalem aimed at preventing PA-organized events for "Jerusalem – capital of Arab culture. I guess the occupation feels threatened by the Palestinian culture and narrative. This is a struggle between occupying police and the songs of freedom and the song will win in the end."[8]
  • Nazareth mayor Ramiz Jaraisy said, in response to the ban that "I never thought they [Israeli authorities] would take it this far. After all, this is a cultural event." The mayor said Dichter was made aware of the planned festivities as early as March 11 but decided to wait nine days before issuing the order "to prevent a public outcry and legal action on our part. "Dichter is trying to compete with (Yisrael Beiteinu Chairman) Avigdor Lieberman's anti-Arab trend, and anyone who holds democracy and freedom of expression dear must condemn his position," he said.[2]

Al-Quds Arab Capital of Culture at Gaza

Spokesperson of the de facto Ministry of the Interior Ihab al-Ghussein said that the celebrations for Al-Quds Arab Capital of Culture began two weeks ago at the headquarters of the Palestinian Legislative Council in Gaza.[9] Nevertheless, Abbas, the Palestinian President accused Hams of blocking celebrations.[7]

Al-Quds Arab Capital of Culture at Nazareth

Al-Quds Arab Capital of Culture at Mar Elias

References

  1. ^ Herbert, Ian (2003). The World of Theatre: An Account of the World's Theatre Seasons 1999-2000, 2000-2001 and 2001-2002. Routledge. p. 225. ISBN 0415306213. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ a b c Israel bans Palestinian cultural events. Ynet News, 2009-03-20.
  3. ^ a b Jerusalem Capital of Arab Culture 2009 festival begins Saturday. Al-Quds Arab Capital of Culture Official Website
  4. ^ Police: Palestinian cultural event failed. Ynet News, 2009-03-22.
  5. ^ a b Police arrest 20 at Palestinian 'culture event'. Ynet News. 2009-03-21
  6. ^ Police shut down Palestinian culture event in Jerusalem. Ynet News. 2009-03-21.
  7. ^ a b Abbas: Occupation will be removed from Jerusalem. Ynet News. 2009-03-21.
  8. ^ MK Tibi: Occupation threatened by PA culture events. Ynet News. 2009-03-21.
  9. ^ Gaza church accuses de facto government of banning Jerusalem Capital of Arab Culture events in Strip. Ma'an News Agency. 2009-03-21.

External links


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