PHOTOGRAPHY | PALESTINE

Portrait of Bethlehem the Week Before October 7

The world has betrayed these artists as it has betrayed Gaza. The sound of the ‘oud shattering into 2000 lb. explosions is now heard daily beyond the barrier, and yet no one moves

My Journeys in Palestine: photo essays narrated using quotes from Fugitive Dreams

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Bethlehem and, in the far back, Beit Jala, from Dar al-Kalima University (Photo by the author, Oct. 2, 2023)

The week before October 7, 2023, I happened to be attending the 26th Conference on “Land, People and Culture,” at Dar al-Kalima University in Bethlehem. I share a few photos from my delightful stay as a testament to Palestinian’s reverence for culture and celebration of life.

Bethlehem’s Old City

The Old City street at night, in front of the International Center (Photos by the author, Oct. 3, 2023)

We were fortunate to be visiting during the week of the Bethlehem International Performing Arts Festival, as we managed to catch two dance performances. The Aura Dance Theater from Lithuania mesmerized a full house at the International-center. The dancers, all masked, weave their way on stage like cogs in…