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Diyar Productions www.diyar.ps Content Diyar Board of Directors

Foreword 2 Bishop Dr. Munib Younan (Chair) Dar al-Kalima University College of Arts and Culture 4 Dr. Ghada Asfour-Najjar (Vice Chair) Religion & State II 12 Mr. Jalal Odeh (Treasurer) The Civic Engagement Program 16 Dr. Versen Aghabekian (Secretary) Ajyal Elderly Care Program 20 Mr. Albert Aghazarian Azwaj Program 22 Fit for Life Project 24 Mr. Ghassan Kasabreh Diyar Academy for Children and Youth 26 Mr. Zahi Khouri Authentic Tourism Program 30 Mr. Issa Kassis Gift Shop Sales for 2014 31 Dr. Bernard Sabella Diyar Publisher 32 Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb (Founder & Media Coverage 36 President, ex oicio) Construction Projects 38 Culture Program 42

1 The innovative work of the Civic Engagement The year 2014 also witnessed the largest media program continued to place Diyar on the national and coverage ever in our history with national, regional FOREWORD international maps of civil society work: Diyar launched and international media outlets, including two ilms its irst national campaign on youth unemployment in connection with the FIFA World Cup. entitled “My Right” while one of its projects, the “Diyar Civic Cultural Network”, was shortlisted for Diyar continues to defy the hopelessness and the 2014 Nelson Mandela-Graća Machel Innovation despair with programs designed to empower our Dear Friends, Award in South Africa. community to creatively resist the Occupation, and communicating the human story and aspirations of Salaam from Bethlehem. The year 2014 was another The good news, however, were plenty. A major The “Religion and State” project reached new heights our people for abundant living. Diyar continues to remarkable year for Diyar despite facing major accomplishment during 2014 was the inauguration of with the launching of the regional document “From be a success story because of its vision, mission, its political diiculties. The 2014 summer war on Gazatwo new buildings on DAK compound: The Cultural the Nile to the Euphrates: The Call of Faith and members, board, staf, friends and supporters. Their afected the morale and productivity of our stafHeritage as and Community Development Building and Citizenship” and by creating “The Christian Academic commitment makes all the diference. We thank the they witnessed the destruction of an important part the Indoor Sports Hall, the second biggest in the West Forum for Citizenship in the Arab World” (CAFCAW) lord for that. of our country with over 2,500 people killed and Bank. These two new facilities will help us consolidate with scholars from 24 universities in the Middle East. 10,000 persons injured. The tourism sector was also our Tourism Studies’ programs as well as our outreach strongly hit by the war, which resulted in wide group initiatives and eforts to the community. Dar al-Kalima University College of Arts and Culture cancelations and severe drop in the local income grew as the address for art and art collections. We generated by our tourism programs, especially the New projects and partnerships were also formed in purchased the largest embroidery collection in restaurant, guesthouse and tours, which forced us to 2014: “Portraits of Palestine” with the World Bank Palestine from Ms. Vivi Siniora, which is exhibited at let go of 10% of our staf. The Israeli withholding of through QIF, “The Future of the Past” with the Euro- the Cultural Heritage and Community Development the Palestinian tax money also afected the number Mediterranean Network, “Social Transformation Building, while the Armenian Palestinian artist Lucy of registered students, causing it to drop as many through Youth Media” with Otto Per Mille, and “Made Janjigian donated her painting collection called Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb did not have the inancial resources necessary to pay in Palestine” with FELM and NCA. “Palestinian” to the University College. President even the low but required tuition fees. 2014

2 3 United States, in September 2014. They visited Palestinian Tour Guides Program (PTG) Dar al-Kalima University College several cities and prepared traditional Palestinian • The PTG program became a major partner food, accompanied by live presentations for in the project “Future of the Past.” The those attending the diferent activities. project has as its main objective the creation of Arts and Culture • DAK hosted a French chef for three weeks in of a systemic approach to the knowledge, September 2014. The chef taught in the Culinary protection, management, tourist valorisation Arts program and conducted a course in “French and enforcement of those Historical Centres Desserts” for the local experts, cooks and (HC) of the Mediterranean countries involved, assistant cooks. which for their peculiarities and speciicity, The year 2014 was a year of expansion of the Cultural Heritage and Tourism Studies • The Culinary Arts instructors participated in the have become centers of tourist and economic premises, as the second building The Cultural competition “Young Chefs of Palestine” and development, deserving, in some cases, to be included in UNESCO World Heritage List. The Heritage and Community Development Building was Culinary Art Program (CA) in the workshop “Efective Pedagogy of the dedicated and became operational in September Teaching of the Culinary Arts Training Modules.” project aims at sharing among Mediterranean • Two cooking courses were held in January and countries (Italy: Lazio, Basilicata, Campania, 2014. February 2014 by Ms. Melanie Henn, the German • As part of the EU project “Culinary Art Development in Bethlehem”, the instructors Egypt/Alexandria, Spain/Còrdoba, Malta/Malta, expert sent by the GIZ, namely: (1) Vegetarian Palestinian Authority/Bethlehem, Tunisia/ The University College has also expanded its course and Vegan Food and (2) Breads. participated in several workshops for curricula and program oferings and applied for 6 new development. Monastir, /Beirut) a cross-border model programs in the ields of its specializations. • The manual for the ield training section was of socio-economic cooperation, focusing on completed in April 2014. It will be used for the the realization and promotion of management In addition, the University College held its ifth students training in hotels and restaurants. and tourist valorisation plans of cultural and graduation ceremony, with 69 students graduating, • The Culinary Arts students and instructors environmental heritage of speciic HC in order to during September 2014. participated in the Palestinian Art Festival, strengthen and qualify their tourist usability. organized by Bright Stars of Bethlehem in the

4 5 As part of the project, several training sessions ilm on Solomon’s Pools to promote the place as Success Story meeting was held in Amman, Jordan, between were ofered for the stakeholders in the tourism a tourist destination. May 27 – 29, 2014 to review the audio-visual sector to develop together a sustainable tourism The “Sahari Training” was accomplished in July academic studies in ive Arab countries and to development plan for the historical center 2014. A group of Bedouin youth was trained to be strengthen the network between DAK and each of Bethlehem. This plan will be applied by all tour guides for the Wilderness region. A one of them. The ive institutions are: partners such as the Ministry of Tourism and special training was designed for this target group Antiquities, Bethlehem Municipality, Bethlehem for 6 months and was funded by the UNRWA. ─ Zayed University, in Abu-Dhabi, UAE Governorate, the Tour Operators, the Tour Guides ─ Zayed University, in Dubai,UAE Union and the Arab Hotel Association. Visual Arts ─ Notre Dame University, Beirut, Lebanon • The partnership with the Tourism Department ─ American University in Cairo, Egypt at the University in Eberswalde continued for Projects ─ The Royal Film Commission, Amman, Jordan the second year. In May, a delegation from DAK • Funded by the World Bank through QIF, DAK consisting of Dr. Nuha Khoury, Judy Bandak, Sami launched the project “Portraits of Palestine”. Another component of the project was an Backleh and four students visited the partner The overall vision and goal of this project is to assessment study done on media and ilm production university. During that visit, two workshops were empower and equip young students with the in Palestine, in addition to a 3-day workshop held in held: The irst on the BA curricula development needed skills and linkages that can help them, Jericho to update DAK faculty on modiied “Film and the second on teaching methods. The through getting employment, to have an active and Television Professions” curriculum from August delegation visited also diferent tourism role and contribute to the variety and quality of 11 – 13, 2014. companies. In November, a delegation from the the local media and ilm production so as to relect partner university and the ilm production team a positive image of Palestine. The “Portrait of • The “Made in Palestine” Project, funded by “Silberstern” from Bavaria visited us. Together Palestine” project aims to upgrade the curriculum NCA and FELM, to establish a cooperative called with the Guiding and the Documentary Film of the “Documentary Film Production” diploma “Made in Palestine” that focuses on silver and students, the German ilm team produced a short program. As part of the project, an academic jewelry design and production by women.

6 7 • The Italian Otto per Mille project “Social Tiberius, Jerusalem, , Makhrour/Beit Iraqi students from the Fine Art Academy in diploma program, to study for one academic Transformation through Youth Media”. Ten Jala and Beit-Sahour. Baghdad joined this course. An exhibition was year, 2014 – 2015, at the Glimåkra Folkhögskola. ilms were produced by young directors ( 5 iction• British ilmmaker Mr. Aaqil Ahmed, held after each course in Amman, attended by ilms and 5 documentary ilms). Commissioning Editor of Religion and Head of representatives from the Iraqi Embassy and a Success story Religion & Ethics at BBC, gave a master class for large group of people interested in the arts. the ilm students on his work and department at The ilm “Burhan Kashour” by the student Muham- Visiting Artists the BBC on October 30, 2014. mad al-Fateh Abu Snineh received the award for Best • Iraqi artist Mr. Sina Ata was a visiting artist and Documentary in the Zayed University Middle East lecturer during winter 2014. Sina Ata taught three Study Tours Film Festival. This is the third year in a row that a DAK courses and contributed to the artistic discourse In cooperation with the Iraqi Business Council DAK student receives an award at this festival. at the department. ofered two courses in Art “ for Social Change” in • American artist and professor Dr. George Rivera Amman in 2014. from the University of Colorado- Boulder was at Performing Arts DAK from August 14 – 28, 2014. He supervised • The irst course was from January 21 – 28, with Residencies a 3-day workshop and curated the exhibition ive student participants from the Contemporary Residency opportunities for students and graduates Music Performance Program “Mahmud Darwish: An Art Homage to a Poet of in diferent places were available in 2014. Fine Art program. The course was around the In cooperation with Kuopio Conservatoire and Resistance” at DAK gallery. The opening was on These residencies included: theme “The City”. The students did photography Savonia University, a project entitled “Strength for August 26, 2014. His visit was supported by the and paintings. Development through Culture” was launched to Fulbright Program. • The second course was from August 30 to • Art residency for two students in Denmark support DAK in ofering advanced education in music • Ms. Inger Jonasson supervised a water color September 5, 2014. Six students from the (January – June). through exchange of teachers, students and know- symposium from April 6 – 16 with 15 Swedish Documentary Film Production program • In cooperation with and inancial support from how. The core of the project is the so-called “training artists and students from contemporary art participated and did photography works around Diocese of Lund, a scholarship was granted for of trainers” aimed at developing the capacity of the departments. They painted in Sabastia/Nablus, the theme “Beginning and End”. Three young a graduate from the Contemporary Fine Art music faculty at DAK. Several exchange visits took

8 9 place between teachers and administrators at both Dar al Kalima Library in Numbers! Numbers of Students in 2014 universities in 2014, thus strengthening the ties between Finland and Palestine. 2014 Acquisitions : Program Winter 2014 Summer 2014 Fall 2014 Curricula Development and Applying for New Programs 665 Number of books acquired in 2014 Visual Arts 122 19 121 Department The following programs were developed and 46 Number of reference books acquired in 2014 submitted to the Ministry of Higher Education for accreditation: Tourism Studies 27 Number of ilms acquired in 2014 87 52 108 Department ─ BA in Cultural and Sustainable Tourism By end of 2014 the total number of acquisitions at the Performing Arts ─ BA in Graphic Design for Branding & Marketing library reached 7284 items 17 1 22 Department ─ BA in Product Design ─ BA in Performing Arts ─ BA in Sports Sciences ─ A Diploma in Hospitality and Fine Dining

10 11 the production of a unique framework document • A Third Think Tank Leadership Conference, held Religion and State II that would spell out the major issues that face also in Istanbul, 16 – 18 July, sitting now as the the region today, with an analysis of the root proposed “forum,” considered the launching of causes, and an efective plan to address those this entity, approved it formally and discussed issues from within an authentic Middle Eastern possible names. It settled on “Christian contextual theology for the public sphere. Academic Forum for Citizenship in the Arab • A Second Think Tank Leadership Conference was World” – CAFCAW, and recommended opening it The Religion and State program was launched in its Five major events were held to fulill the 2014 held in Istanbul, Turkey, from 11 – 14 June. This for wider membership. irst phase by Diyar in 2008 with the aim of creating strategic plan that was worked out earlier: second conference in the 2014 series had a three- • A Conference on “Middle East Christians and a healthier relationship between “Religion” and part agenda: the Public Sphere” was organized and took place “State” in the Middle East in pursuit of assuring the in Beirut, Lebanon, from 3 – 5 December, and was • A Joint Conference for Christian Youth was held a. Conducting a critical discussion of the irst draft of human dignity and improving the quality of life of the attended by 45 persons, from Egypt, Lebanon, in Amman, Jordan, 23 – 25 January, bringing the Document that was prepared and circulated peoples of the region. Syria, Jordan, Palestine, and / together some 50 young women and men, ages since the previous conference; USA. In this conference, the Document entitled 20 to 35, plus some highly regarded leaders and b. Hearing situation reports and studies of the Arab The objective for 2014 and Phase II of the program “From the Nile to the Euphrates: The Call of Faith mentors from Jordan, Palestine, Lebanon, Egypt, world, including those published by the United has been to produce a document that would serve as and Citizenship” was endorsed and launched. Syria and Iraq, to consider the theme : “Toward a Nations, presentations by a number of young the framework for the project’s overall goal “to insure The document has 4 parts. The irst part is an Youthful Vision for the Future of the Middle East.” persons specially invited to be part of this process, a future where ALL citizens enjoy freedom, equality, introduction to the background of the document, Guided by the leaders, the youth identiied some the status of conlicts, war and peace and the role justice, a higher quality of life and full human dignity.” its authors, target group and genre. Here, the of the pivotal changes that have occurred in their of academia in peace building, and an inventory Therefore, in 2014, having identiied 10 critical issues document understands itself being a document societies during the recent period. of Arab Christian websites – especially those facing the region, we concentrated on bringing the of “Public Theology”. The second part highlights pertaining to the youth’s engagement in society; experience and expertise of Christian academics • A “Think Tank” Leadership Conference was the ten most challenging issues for the region. (professors, university students and graduates) to called together during 27 – 29 April. The purpose c. Developing the strategic plan for continuing the The third part highlights the “Christian, Human, bear on those issues. of this conference was essentially to work toward work before us.

12 13 and National Role” of the Christians in the Arab World, while the last part is a contextualized text of the creed, highlighting commitments that stem out of the Christian faith.

Success Story

The outcome of the year’s activities, as described below, has produced the document entitled “From the Nile to the Euphrates: The Call of Faith and Citizenship.” It is noteworthy that, to our knowledge, this is the First Middle Eastern Public Theology Document to be formulated. As a vehicle for the next stage, a “Christian Academic Forum for Citizenship in the Arab World” (CAFCAW), was established. It will invite eligible persons to become members; and its membership will remain open for further growth. During Phase III (2015 and 2016), CAFCAW will have a leading role in carrying out this movement.

14 15 use their acquired skills in a democratic way. They of this national network, space was provided for The Civic Engagement became more politicized, articulate and vocal about networking among each other. As a result, we their rights as youth, and they acquired further witnessed a surge in employment for 60.28% of understanding of the political and lobbying process. the network’s members are now employed (and This enhanced political understanding was strongly this percentage does not include those who are Program relected during the elections day when candidates still students); and although there is no precise nominated themselves to become members of the igure to how many were employed before joining network’s advisory committee. the network, but feedback and initial information suggest a 25% increase.

The year 2014 witnessed four signiicant considered to be critical to their future, which is Finally, we saw an enhanced visibility of the young developments in the Civic Engagement Program, unemployment. It was a irst for Diyar at large to run people and consequently gaining access and which led to a further strengthening and impact of an advocacy national campaign, which proved to be a presence within the public sphere. Their visibility took this important work on the Palestinian youth, and worthy undertaking. on diferent forms, particularly in the local media as enhanced the overall visibility and mission of Diyar, no less than 100 media coverage were made (written, both locally and internationally. The major highlights By working on this audio-visual and web) with many young people in 2014 were the following: campaign, the process speaking to journalists, reporters and writers. of having the Palestinian 1. Organizing a national campaign on youth youth become agents of The advocacy eforts and campaign activities unemployment entitled “My Right” with multiple, social change has begun It also opened the doors for many as they came into were plenty, and were divided across the districts creative activities. as it provided a platform contact with inancial institutions such as banks, that were represented by the young members. for all of the network’s governmental bodies such as the Palestinian Ministry These activities included distribution of “My Right” The young members of the Civic Cultural Network members to be collectively of Labor, private sector such as the chambers of campaign poster and “Support Palestinian Products” organized themselves around an issue that they engaged in, and to put to commerce and others. Also, by becoming members lyer, sit-ins, summer camps awareness-raising

16 17 sessions, mural painting, schools workshops, petition Success Story and meeting with the Palestinian Ministry of Labor representatives, bicycle marathon, and “My Right To The “Diyar Civic Cultural Network” project becoming a inalist in Work” Career Day. the 2014 Nelson Mandela-Graća Machel Innovation Award The “Diyar Civic Cultural Network” project was nominated for the 2. Finalizing the structure of the national youth 2014 Nelson Mandela-Graća Machel Innovation Award Nelson in network, the Diyar Civic Cultural Network. South Africa. This award, now in its 10th year, is granted by CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation, which is an international In a two-day conference, elections of the Civic Cultural alliance and network of organizations that spans the spectrum of Network’s advisory committee and the ratiication of civil society, with currently more than 1100 members (organizations its internal regulations took place. This activity was and individuals) from all over the world who support its work. critical for the sustainability of the network as its 3. Holding a Cultural Day to promote the Civic structure and operations became more deined and Cultural Creativity Competition artistic productions. By being in the inals of such a prestigious award with an innovative organized. There were 24 young people elected as civil society initiative placed Diyar on the international map of members of the advisory committee, representing The Cultural Day constituted a major forum for civil society work. Among hundreds of nominations from diferent diferent geographical areas to ensure a smoother the artistic productions that were created by the countries, the Diyar Civic Cultural Network was selected and management of the network’s operations. winners of the Civic Cultural Creativity Competition shortlisted among 6 inalists in the category of organization. This in 2012 and 2013. This activity was important because in itself was truly a great honor, as the initiative competed against new audiences, including new youth groups, were other worthy projects from countries such as Syria, Cameroon, exposed to the creativity of these young people who Pakistan and Nigeria. were able to artistically articulate a signiicant civil society issue.

18 19 Academy for Children & Youth’s annual report, as by Rev. Beth Warpmaeker, who visited us in April. Ajyal Elderly Care Program it was a joint work between the two programs. During this visit, many important topics were “Me & My Grandma!” was comprised of three presented including Palliative Care, Osteoporosis sketches: Born Blind, which is an adaptation of Disease and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. CS Lewis’ A Man Born Blind; Three Questions, an adaptation of Leo Tolstoy’s Three Questions; The second group was the Parish Nurse group and The Gatekeepers, which is inspired by Franz from the US, who make this visit in November Ajyal Elderly Care Program continued to provide Nurses, social workers and care givers from Kaka’s Before the Law. All three sketches were of each year. The main aim of these visits is to quality services for its members and to create space several senior care and rehabilitation centers as directed by Elizabeth Malone from Compass provide basic medical services to the Ajyal elderly for hope and healing for the elderly. It is based on well as elderly homes in the Bethlehem district Theater Company, who was also responsible for members. In 2014, the elderly learned about the Faith Community Nursing framework, and unlike participated in this workshop. The focus was on the adaptation of the irst two sketches and the Atrial ibrillation, which is an abnormal rhythm of traditional dependency models, it has a proactive discussing the efects and consequences of the writing of the last one. the heart, and were also trained on how to do a nature that explores the contributing potential of the Alzheimer’s disease on patients and their close breast self-exam. elderly in Palestine. relatives, and ofering a detailed account on how The second theater play entitled “Inheritance” to cope with this life-altering disease. was produced and performed on Mother’s Day in March 2014. It addressed a very sensitive The main program highlights in 2014 were the topic within the Palestinian community, which is following: ─ Drama Productions: Drama is an important women’s right to inheritance. component in the Ajyal program because ─ A Workshop on Alzheimer’s Disease: In coop- we strongly believe that it has the power to ─ International Group Visits: There were two main eration with the MOST (Mission Opportunities transform lives and is a powerful tool for lifelong group visits in 2014. They came to help with the Short Term) Ministries, the Ajyal program imple- learning. As such, there were two theater plays Ajyal program, particularly in raising awareness of mented a 3-day workshop on Alzheimer’s disease produced in 2014. The irst one was“Me & My important health issues. The irst group was from in Bethlehem From June 5-7, 2014. Grandma!”, which is also mentioned in the Diyar the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Minnesota, led

20 21 initiative was launched in October 2014 with a three- Azwaj Program day workshop that included 16 persons. By the end of December, it expanded to include 90 people from the Azwaj program, the Ajyal Elderly Care program and a group of independent women who heard about Celebrate Recovery and wanted to be part of it.

With the vision of creating stronger and healthier ─ Celebrate Recovery Initiative: Celebrate family relationships, the young couples program Recovery is an amazing tool for healing life’s Azwaj continued to serve many committed families small and large wounds. It is essentially a recovery from the Bethlehem area. The main highlights of this program that started at Saddleback Church in program in 2014 were the following: California and now is in 20,000 churches in the US and 50 other countries. It is a powerful tool ─ “Psychological and Mental Health” Educational to heal “big” struggles like drug dependency, Series: The main educational theme of 2014 sexual addiction and abuse. Likewise, it is was on the psychological and mental health, and efective in dealing with smaller struggles such as such many awareness-raising sessions and as anger issues, poor boundaries and stress. It workshops were given over the course of the year. is conidential and speciically formatted to it The topics given as part of this educational series Palestinian context. were: stress and ways to reduce it, recognizing and responding to stress in teens, emotional Although this initiative introduced a new concept eating, ive simple rules for a happy life, television into Palestine, it has been greatly welcomed by & obesity, self-esteem, parent/child relationship many people who have shown an unconditional challenges, and depression. and extraordinary commitment to it. The

22 23 image, conidence and enhanced self-esteem Success Stories Fit For Life Project were also reported. Women’s empowerment within these communities were also enhanced • Four trainers from and Dar Salah as, for example, 71% reported that more women opened their own sports centers in their villages. activities were now held in the villages and 91% They are utilizing and applying the knowledge felt supported by their communities in leading a and experience they gained from the Fit for Life physically active life. initiative successfully and efectively. The progress of the Fit for Life project continued and nutritional counseling extended to the • Enhanced networking eforts with various • The Dar Salah Center opened a certiied into its third and inal year. There were several major neighboring villages, including al-Khader, Bateer, organizations such as the Civil Defense, kindergarten for children. The project’s local achievements, which included: , al-Khas al-Nu’man and Im Salamona. Bethlehem University, Red Crescent and many coordinator is now the head principal of this • Fit for Life’s activities expanded to include other health institutions. nursery school, while two other women trainers • 24 women from Al-Walaja, Dar Salah and itness programs, health education, nutrition are current teachers. Beit Fajjar villages were trained in exercise, counseling, stress management and relaxation • Two trainers in Beit Fajjar are managing a local nutrition and women’s and psychological health, classes, and life coaching techniques. school’s cafeteria. They are promoting and graduating with a certiicate that qualiies them • The women trainers demonstrated tremendous serving healthy and organic food to the students. as physical itness trainers. personal and professional growth; they are • Fit for Life Initiative, through the women trainers, continuously improving the quality of training worked with 468 women in their communities. sessions by learning and applying new techniques. Various segments of women were targeted, • The results showed a signiicant improvement in including a large number of teenagers and elderly women’s health and nutritional awareness. The women. majority of the beneiciaries, 96% to be exact, • In addition to the two main villages of Beit reported monitoring their bodies for changes Fajjar and Dar Salah, the physical exercises on a monthly basis. Increased positive body-

24 25 • “Me & My Grandma!”: This play was a joint Theater & Dance Productions Diyar Academy for work between the Diyar Academy for Children and Youth, the Ajyal Elderly Care Program, and Compass Theater Company. Produced in June, the play provided a medium for each generational Children and Youth performer to see the other in a new light and to celebrate the insight of both the young and old.

The Diyar Academy for Children and Youth continued • “Fed Up”: Students from the youngsters’ drama its growth and expansion in 2014, with highly group produced a comedy play entitled “Fed Up”, successful programs and activities in its theater and in March 2014. They wrote their own scripts that dance, sports and art schools. The highlights of 2014 were based on personal stories, which dealt with • “Boesman & Lena”: The “Boesman & Lena” play, were the following: important socio-economic and political issues by South African playwright Athol Fugard, was the that are of concern to the Palestinian youth. fourth major theater production of Diyar Dance Theater and the irst piece comprised solely of The Theater & Dance School actors. It describes a harrowing dramatic journey through a single night in the life of a homeless Students Creative Labs “colored” couple in South Africa during the time The creative labs expose the students to the essential of ruthless Apartheid. The play, produced in June, elements of theater and dance and allow them was directed by Joe Martin, a playwright, author, to create a production from the ground up. The director and a senior lecturer in theater at Johns following productions were made in 2014: Hopkins University.

26 27 • “Selie with Grandma & Grandpa!”: This was participated in a week-long exchange visit to Poland to 14 years old and they came from diferent localities a 50-minute Christmas theater play for children in September with two polish institutions, namely including marginalized areas such as the surrounding performed during the Christmas season 2014. the Youth Academy of Culture and the Vector of villages, refugee camps and area C. The activities The play aimed to educate children about the Culture Association. Finally, Diyar Dance Theater of the summer sports camps consisted of intensive values of family, respect, tolerance and equality participated in an exchange project together with athletic training in soccer and basketball, social through the spirit of Christmas and the Santa Lidicehaus Bremen and Dee Loopers Dance Company leadership sessions, recreational activities and a inal Claus character. in October in Bremen, Germany. The project aimed at day tournament where four other teams from the creating an artistic work entitled “Boundless”, which Bethlehem district were invited to engage in friendly was shown both in Bremen and Köln. competitive games.

The Sports School Success Story The Under-16 Girls Championship Diyar Theater Week Diyar Girls Soccer Team participated in the Palestinian Football Association’s Under-16 Girls Championship The Diyar Theater Week took place in Bethlehem from October to December 2014. It became the in October 2014, with an attendance of more than Palestinian champion, defeating over 12 other girl 2000 people. It was a festival designed to showcase teams from diferent cities in the . It is the the Palestinian artistic productions and creativity second year to win this championship. through diferent art mediums including theater International Tours and Intercultural Exchanges plays, dance performances and music concerts. It The Diyar Dance Theater participated in August 2014 The Diyar Summer Sports Camps for Girls hosted seven performances by diferent theater and in the International Cultural Folk Dance Festival in The Diyar Summer Sports Camps for Girls reached dance companies from the Bethlehem region. Sidi Bel Abbas, Algeria. Also, four of its members out to 115 girls in 2014, whose ages ranged between 7

28 29 Authentic Tourism Program Gift Shop Sales for 2014

Authentic Tourism Groups: Group Visits during 2014 Best Sales Other Sales

Due to the 2014 summer war on Gaza, we witnessed a USA dramatic drop in the number of groups staying at the German Abu Jubran Guest House compared to the number of Denmark Glass Art Work DVDs groups in 2013. In total, we received 28 groups from Finalnd Silver Jewelry Post Cards Australia, Germany, Sweden, Norway and USA. They Canada Embroidery Icons were accommodated at Abu Jubran Guest House Books Jerusalem Stone for a total of 98 nights and 1430 meals from Illiyeh UK Restaurant. The total number of visitors was 475 Sweden Olive Wood Fashion Jewelry persons, as the average group number was between China Wool Felting and Dolls Calligraphy 15 to 20 persons. Ceramics Gold and Gold Plated Jewelry

We received 149 groups from the United States, As for the number of groups who visited Diyar for Germany, Denmark, Finland, Canada, UK, Sweden, a lecture or a tour, it is illustrated in the following China, Zimbabwe and South Africa. The total number chart: of visitors was 3288 persons for the year 2014.

30 31 Diyar Publisher

Five books were published by Diyar he Church of the his Book هذا الكتاب The development of the Palestinian Identity has been the focus of many يعرض هذا الكتاب ّالسيرَ الذّ ّاتية أدباء ّوسياسين ووجهاء من بيت ساحور كانت لهم ٌإجازات ّجيدة على امستوى اأدبي ّوالسياسي ذاتية سر Publisher in 2014: studies and conferences. However, all of the studies so far concentrate وااجتماعي، لذا يستطيع القارئُ أن ّيطلع على اأعمال ّاأدبية لهؤاء ِاأدباء َويطلع على نضاات ّسياسيي بيت ساحور، وكما يتعرّف القارئ on the emergence of this identity in the last hundred years. Although

several papers in this book still have dealt with the development of the Studies Palestinian على وجهاء ّوسيدات هذه امدينة وآرائهم وصفحات من حياتهم التي تربط اماضي باحاضر، وقد ُم ِهد لهذا الكتاب ٍبلمحة ّتاريخية عن بيت Nativity Palestinian Identity in late Ottoman and early British Mandate Palestine, ساحور وعن أوّل مؤمر لرؤساء بلديات ّالضفة ّالغربية ّوالذي ُع ِقد في بيت ساحور وعرض أهداف هذا امؤمر ِونتائجه، وذِكر لآباء ّالذين خدموا another focus of the event was however on analyzing the understanding في كنائس بيت ساحور وخارجها، وذِكْر للشيوخ ّالذين خدموا فيها وفي اخارج، كما حوى الكتاب َأسماء ِشهداء هذه امدينة. of the Palestinian Identity in relation to the biblical story, history and archeology and how this understanding has been relected in poetry Garo Nalbandian and the art. The self-Understanding of the of themselves in هؤاء من Fred Strickert relation to time and space and their relationship to other marginalized groups is a question of high political and social relevance.

الكاتب The participation of scholars from different parts of the world in the Palestinian Identity ميخائيل جورج فرح رشماوي من مواليد بيت ساحور عام 1947م، حصل على البكالوريوس من اجامعة ّاأردنية -event did not only bring an international scope, persuasions and perspec عام 1972م وعلى دبلوم ّالتربية من جامعة بيت حم عام 1977م. عمل في التعليم في مختلف امواد ّالدراسية tives, but helped fostering an ecumenical, interdisciplinary, multi-ethnic in relation to and multi-cultural environ, dialogues and philosophy. وكان أهمها اللغة العربية في امدرسة اللوثريّة /بيت ساحور مدة سبعة وثاثن ًعاما ّحتى تقاعده عام 2008م، بيت ســـاحور ّ ّ Time وشغل منصب نائب امدير فيها ٍلفترة طويلة. ناشط في العمل ااجتماعي حيث رأس إدارة النادي اأرثوذكسي العربي الثّقافي وكان عضوا ًعاما في الكثير من إداراتِه وجانِه ورأس جمعية التطوير والتنمية الزّراعية، وهوعضو ً ّ Contributing Scholars ّمؤسس في ّجمعية اإسكان ّالتعاونية وفي ّاجمعية ّااستهاكية في بيت ساحور. هؤاء ساحور بيت من and ناشط في اجال اأدبي فهو عضو مشارك في جماعة الباب ّاأدبية في بيت حم وفي ّالديوان الثّقافي في بيت | Bader, Liana | Bechmann, Ulrike | Borgman, Erik | Callendar, Dexter ساحور، وعمل في مجال التدقيق اللغوي لبعض ّاجا ِت ِواأبحاث والكتب. ّمتخصص ًحاليا في تعليم اأجانب Fernandez, Eleazar | Fuchs, Ottmar | Jubeh, Nazmi | Musallam, Adnan اللغة ّالعربية ّالعامية والفصحى حيث مارس ذلك في جامعة بيت حم ّوكلية الكتاب ّامقدس في بيت حم وفي Raheb, Mitri | Rivera, George | Shomali, Qustandi | Smith, Robert | Space and Time to in relation Identity Palestinian Space | Staubli, Thomas | Stegeman, Janneke | Van-Reisen, Mirjam مركز ّالسياحة البديلة وفي مركز ّالتقارب في بيت ساحور، ويعمل على إصدارِ ٍكتاب في هذا اجال، وهو ٌمشارك في ِالعديد من ِالنشاطات ّااجتماعية.

Edited by ميخائيل رماوي Mitri Raheb www.diyar.ps 2014 Diyar Publisher 2014

The Palestinian Identity in relation to Time and Space : Biographies By: Garo Nalbandian & Fred Stickert Edited by: Mitri Raheb By: Michael Rishmawi Language: English Language: English Language: Arabic

32 33 Success Story

Publishers Weekly listed “Faith in the Face of Empire” as one of the best books of 2014. Only 20 books from the religion category made it to the top list, and Raheb’s book was one of them. Amazon ranked “Faith in the Face of Empire” as #1 best seller in the category of Liberation Theology books and one of the top 10 in Middle Eastern issues. For Orbis books, NY, “Faith in the Face of Empire” was #1 best seller among all their books published in 2014. Palestine: Land, People,Identity – Faith in the Face of Empire: A Photography Book The Bible through Palestinian Eyes The book has been translated so far By: Iyas Abu Rahmeh By: Mitri Raheb into languages: Danish, German, Language: Arabic and English Language: English, German, Swedish, Danish and Dutch. Swedish, and Dutch.

34 35 Media Coverage Media and Visibility Written News TV Reports TV Interviews Media coverage in 2014 brought Diyar into the PNN, 2 were made by Watan Palestinian TV, 1 report Radio Interviews spotlight in the local media. To begin with, there was made by Aram TV, and 1 report was made by Al School Visits were 132 written news reports published during the Mayadeen Arab World Satellite TV Channel. year: 64 reports were published in Al-Quds daily Newspaper, 66 reports in Al-Ayyam daily Newspaper, There were also 65 radio interviews during 2014: 19 and 2 reports in Al-Hayat newspaper. interviews were aired on Radio Bethlehem 2000, 8 interviews on Mawwal radio station in Bethlehem, In addition, 11 television interviews were aired on 7 interviews on Baladna Radio in Bethlehem, 19 satellite TV channels: 8 interviews were aired on interviews on Al-Nisa’ radio station in Ramallah, 1 Launching New Websites Ma’an Network TV, 2 on the Palestinian Satellite interview on Sawa Middle Eastern radio station, and Channel, and 1 interview was aired on Al-Hurrah 11 interviews on many other radio stations. Diyar and Dar al-Kalima University College of Satellite Channel. Arts and Culture launched new websites with new features in 2014. These websites accommodate the As well, 28 television news reports were made on new technologies, especially since both are mobile- Diyar: 13 reports were made by Ma’an Network TV, 6 friendly with an easy access to all the features. Both reports were made by the Palestine Satellite Channel, websites are in Arabic and English. 5 reports were made by the Palestinian News Network

36 37 Construction Projects Facts & Figures! 400 Seats, sports equipment and score board, goals and nets in the indoor sports hall. All Italian made, approved and recommended by FIFA. The chairs are also ire proof and FIFA certiied. 1300 Square meters of sports hall special looring, marking and lining. Certiicates and proofs from the manufacturers in the Netherlands that the looring material is approved and rec- We celebrated in 2014 the inauguration of two new ommended by FIFA and other sports organizations. buildings. They were: 5 Multi sports that the looring is suitable for, namely basketball, tennis, volleyball, soccer and handball. The Dar Al-Kalima Indoor Sports Hall 36 Lighting ixtures Disano, Italy 400 W metal Halide, high bay with die cast aluminum. These ixtures are durable and energy savers. On March 2, the Dar al-Kalima Indoor Sports Hall was inaugurated. The 1,500 square-meter sports hall offers space to soccer, basketball and volleyball teams, as well as tennis and handball players. It is the largest indoor sports facility in the Bethlehem & - Stone loor tiling of the pavement around the sports hall. All stone works are from district and second largest in Palestine. To help local quarries. launch this unique hall, the six-time Olympic medalist, Canadian speed skater Cindy Klassen - Completed asphalting the driveways and parking around the building. took part. She also participated in a symposium entitled “Empowering Women through Sports”, held during the official opening, with several local Palestinian women sports figures and role models.

38 39 The Cultural Heritage and Community Project Highlights: Development Building

Inaugurated on May 30, the building is comprised 2200 Square meters of total space. of three inished loors with a total of 2,200 square 16000 Blocks are used for external wall insulation and block partitioning. meters of space. The building houses twelve oices to 1800 Square meters of wall and ceiling plastering. accommodate the staf of the Cultural Heritage and Community Development programs, in addition to a 160 Diferent windows are installed in the building to allow natural lighting and ventilation. meeting room, three lecture halls, a teachers’ room and restrooms. As well, a-top-of-the-line training 2600 Square meters of wall and ceiling paint. kitchen and all related facilities and infrastructure, 3400 A total of working days for inishing the building. including equipment, utensils and dining room for training are located on the second loor. 10 Workers a day on average: each worker is responsible for a family of 5 persons from Bethlehem district. The building is equipped with VRV heating and air- conditioning; this system is environmentally friendly Success Story with low electricity consumption. Kitchen water is heated with solar panels, and there are good The inauguration of the Cultural Heritage and prospects for solar power for lighting, heating and Community Development Building with a total of air-conditioning. 2,200 square meters of space was a success story of the construction projects in the year 2014. This building hosts the largest embroidery collection in Palestine, collected by Ms. Vivi Siniora. Some pieces are approximately 200 years old.

40 41 in all its terrible facets has been relected by Events in Numbers Culture Program writers and artists of all afected countries and languages. The performance dealt with texts, 11 Film Screenings poems and songs written by famous authors such as Erich Maria Remarque, Robert Musil, Stefan 15 Theater Plays Zweig, Boris Pasternak, T.E.Lawrence, Ernest 18 Concerts Hemingway, John Dos Passos and Robert Rolland. 13 Conferences & Workshops Diyar hosted a variety of cultural events in 2014, performance by the talented Palestinian musician The storyline of this performance corresponds 57 Events in Grand Total including theater plays, musical concerts, ilm Nai Barghouthi and a concert of “Peter and the totally to the current global situation. screenings, festivals, conferences and workshops, Wolf”, performed by local and international book launchings and so on, even though it was a musicians. A second festival was also held, which very diicult year for the Palestinians, politically- is the “Christmas Festival”, from November 2014 speaking, due to the summer war on Gaza. to January 2015. Events 2014 • The Peacemaking Conference of the Presbyterian The highlights of the Culture program in the year Church (USA) was held in Bethlehem during May 2014 were as follows: 2014, with more than 100 participants from the USA who joined to learn more about the situation Film • Similar to the previous years and in cooperation in Palestine. Theater with the Edward Said National Conservatory • A performance from the Folkwang University of Concert of Music, we were delighted to host part of Arts in Germany was given, which was a dramatic Conferences & Work shops the “Saturdays in Music” festival, which was collage on WWI by Gerold Theobalt, combining held from January to May 2014. It comprised of contemporary texts and music from the days of concerts ranging from classical to contemporary the First World War which broke out in Europe music. Some of these concerts included a one hundred years ago. The trauma of this war

42 43 Special Thanks to... Our friends, supporters ‒ AGEH ‒ KREDO and donors who believe ‒ Arab Bank ‒ LWF | CLWR – Canadian Lutheran in what we do, and to ‒ Bethlehem Venner World Relief those who contributed ‒ Bright Stars of Bethlehem ‒ Norwegian Church Aid directly or indirectly to ‒ Church of Sweden ‒ Otto Per Mille our ministries. ‒ Churches Helping Churches ‒ PCUSA ‒ DAAD ‒ Pilgrims of Ibillin ‒ Diakonia Austria ‒ Presbyterian Foundation ‒ EU – ENPI ‒ QIF – World Bank ‒ Ev. Missionwerk Hamburg ‒ Sternenstaub ‒ FELM ‒ The Ministry of Foreign Afairs of ‒ Foerderverein Bethlehem Dar Finland al-Kalima Akademie ‒ The Olof Palme International Center ‒ Healing Across the Divide ‒ UCC | Disciples of Christ ‒ ICCO ‒ United Nations Oice Geneva ‒ KARIBU ‒ United Palestinian Appeal

Diyar Consortium 44