The Palestinian Museum

The Palestinian Museum Logo

The Palestinian Museum is a flagship project of the Welfare Association, a non-profit organization for developing humanitarian projects in Palestine. The Museum in Birzeit (25 km north of Jerusalem) opened on 18 May 2016, despite not having any exhibits.[1]

About

The idea of developing a museum was initiated in 1997 by the London-based Welfare Association to commemorate the Nakba, and later developed to a broader viewpoint to documenting[2] Palestinian history, society, art and culture from the beginning of the 19th century.

"It is not necessarily to start or stop at the Nakba, but nevertheless to look at Palestinians before that and after that … take that history and that memory as a means to reflect on what’s happening today and as a way to think through ideas, concepts and propositions for the future." Jack Persekian, former director of the Palestinian Museum.

The Museum aims to be an innovative venue for creating and communicating research, knowledge and new thinking about showcasing Palestinian society, art, history and culture.[3] In May 2015 the museum officially joined the International Council of Museums.

In May 2016, it was announced that Mahmoud Hawari would succeed Jack Persekian as director, who was ousted by the board after three and a half years.[1][4]

Museum without borders

The Palestinian Museum aims to transcend political and geographical borders, and address the mobility issues due to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. Through local, regional and international partnerships and affiliate centers, the Museum seeks to connect Palestinians worldwide.[5] With an extensive network of partnerships within the region, it hopes to act as a hub for cultural activity there.[6]

Building

The museum building is estimated to cover an area nearly ten acres donated by Birzeit University, near Ramallah and it is projected to cost around $19 million. The architects are Heneghan Peng, who designed the Grand Egyptian Museum. It aims to bring together a mix of exhibition spaces, research, and education programmes. Through its digital platforms and international partners, the Museum aims to connect with about 10 million Palestinians[5] scattered around the world, and with all those interested in Palestine.[7]

The cost of the building is estimated at $24 to $30 million.[8][9] Funds were contributed by "over 30 private Palestinian families and institutions", including the al-Qattan Foundation, the Bank of Palestine (privately owned), and the Arab Fund for Social and Economic Development.[8]

The museum was inaugurated by Mahmoud Abbas on 18 May 2016, but it was "plagued by a series of cost overruns and delays" — many blamed on Israel.[10]

See also

References

  1. 1 2
  2. ↑ Rana Anani (2013-04-21). "Palestinian Museum to Showcase People's History, Culture - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East". Al-Monitor. Retrieved 2016-05-20.
  3. ↑ Meador, Daryl. "Museum without borders" to open in Palestine". Electronicintifada.net. Retrieved 2016-05-20.
  4. ↑ "Mahmoud Hawari appointed new director of long-awaited Palestinian Museum". Theartnewspaper.com. 2016-05-05. Retrieved 2016-05-20.
  5. ↑ Cascone, Sarah. "Bloodshed Can't Derail Construction of Palestinian Museum". News.artnet.com. Retrieved 2016-05-20.
  6. ↑ Hatuqa, Dalia. "The Palestinian Museum will present a culture without borders". Thenational.ae. Retrieved 2016-05-20.
  7. ↑ Hecht, Esther. "Palestinian Museum Will Link the Past and the Present". Archrecord.construction.com. Retrieved 2016-05-20.
  8. 1 2 "Jack Persekian steps down". The Economist. 9 December 2015. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
  9. ↑
  10. ↑ "A museum without exhibits". The Economist. 4 June 2016. Retrieved 4 June 2016.

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