Tastes of the Levant: Arak and Kunafeh
Nader 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.
Spoken Word Evening
Tasneim Zyada, Victoria McNulty, Iyad Hayatleh and Mo’min Swaitat will present their work in a evening of spoken word.
Syriacs of Bethlehem
George Kiraz discusses the importance of the Syriacs in Bethlehem and their contribution to the artistic and religious life of Bethlehem, as well as his recently published book, Water the Willow Tree – Memoirs of a Bethlehem Boyhood.
Healing through Art
Malak Mattar and Hannah Rose Thomas in conversation with Elizabeth Filippouli.
Outside looking in: 19th century exploration of Bethlehem
Jacob Norris, Maxim Sansour and Khalil Shokeh will discuss a remarkable period of western exploration of Bethlehem in the mid-1800s.
Water the Willow Tree Book Launch
George Kiraz will be in discussion with Sarah Irving and Jacob Norris with an introduction by Mahmoud Muna from the Educational Bookshop.
Nine Quarters of Jerusalem - Online Book Launch
Matthew Teller author of Nine Quarters of Jerusalem will be in conversation with Mahmoud Muna of the Educational Bookshop – joining us straight from Jerusalem.
Culture and Resistance
The Bethlehem Cultural Festival examines the role of culture in these difficult times. How do artists and cultural practitioners continue to work?
Notes from the Diaspora: the Bethlehemite communities of Latin America
Panel discussion/roundtable about migratory experiences of Bethlehemites and their descendants in the Americas.
Wasted Time: Cultural activity and the role it plays in national identity
Dr Abdelfattah Abusrour, Neil Leiper, Chunk and with Dr. Rhys Machold discuss the positive role that filmmaking, theatre and the arts can play in giving hope to people, through their work with young people and prisoners.