Preserving Palestinian Heritage: A Glimpse into the Past
Source: Artists for Palestinians| Facebook
We are honored to share this poignant photograph of a mother and her child, captured in Palestine in 1920. Dressed in a traditional thobe adorned with intricate Palestinian tatreez embroidery, this image speaks volumes about the rich cultural heritage and enduring spirit of the Palestinian people.
This remarkable photograph was taken by Khalil Raad, Palestine’s first Arab photographer, who originally hailed from Lebanon. Khalil Raad settled in Talibiyya, where he dedicated his life to capturing the everyday moments and profound beauty of Palestinian life. Tragically, his family was forced to flee in 1948, during a time of great upheaval and displacement.
In an extraordinary act of bravery and friendship, an Italian friend of Raad’s saved much of his work from destruction. Risking his own safety, he smuggled more than a thousand of Raad’s photographic plates across no-man’s land, making several trips under the cover of darkness. Thanks to his efforts, these invaluable pieces of history have been preserved for future generations.
This photograph not only serves as a testament to the resilience and cultural pride of the Palestinian people but also underscores the importance of preserving and sharing our collective history.
Let us honor and remember the past as we continue to advocate for justice and peace.
Thank you for sharing and supporting the preservation of Palestinian heritage.
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“If it wasn’t anti-Semitic to do it to South Africa, it’s not anti-Semitic to do it to Israel.”
― Jimmy Dore