6/10/2009
Under the patronage of Prof. Rami Hamdallah, University President, Faculty of Fine Arts at An-Najah National University, organized the "Palestinian Popular Art Conference: Facts and Challenges," at HRH Prince Turki Bin Abdel-Aziz Theater. The organization of the conference comes as part of the activities of Jerusalem as the capital of Arab culture. The conference was organized with the support of Paltel Group and Abdel-Muhsen Qattan Foundation. The conference was attended by Mrs. Siham Barghothi, Minister of Culture, Prof. Rami Hamdallah, University President, Mr. Muhannad Hijawi, General Director of Paltel Group, Dr. Hasan Ne'irat, Dean of Faculty of Fine Arts, and the Coordinator of Organizing Committee, a number of faculties' deans, directors of scientific centers, academics and administrative staff of the University, a number of intellectuals and researchers in the fields of popular arts, in addition to students of the Faculty of Fine Arts.
Prof. Yahya Jabr, Coordinator of the Conference, in his welcoming remarks, talked about the importance of this conference as part of the celebrations Jerusalem as the capital of Arab cultur, and the Palestinian Popular Art Day. Dr. Hasan Ne'irat, in his remarks, welcomed the participants and said that they are proving to all that there are still people who are serving popular art and traditions against all hardships and challenges.
Prof. Hamdallah said that An-Najah University has always supported popular art through establishing University centers such as the Regional and Urban Development Center at Qasr Alkassim, in addition to the efforts of Faculty of Fine Arts and Faculty of Engineering to serve Palestinian art and culture. Mrs. Siham Barghothi talked about the cooperation between the University and the Ministry in the arena of culture activities. She mentioned the role of the ministry in preserving and documenting this tradition and art.
Mr. Muhannad Hijawi thanked An-Najah University represented by its President for hosting this special event. He noted that art and tradition represent the life and efforts of the ancestors to prove the right of Palestinians to live and exist in this land. During the opening ceremony, a documentary was presented on Palestinian popular art. The conference included two sessions. The first was moderated by Prof. Yahya Jabr, and included papers on popular art and its developments. The second session was moderated by Dr. Suleiman Khalil and papers presented discussed issues of tradition aspects and other related issues.
