New museum to honor Palestinian history, culture
RAMALLAH, West Bank — The Palestinian Museum became a member of the International Council of Museums (ICOM) on May 11, making it the first Palestinian establishment of its kind to join the council of more than 32,000 museums — a powerful show of support for the museum’s future activities.
A model rendition of the Palestinian Museum scheduled to open in 2016 in Birzeit, near Ramallah, in this undated photo. (photo by The Palestinian Museum)
The Palestinian Museum’s cornerstone was laid April 11, 2013, funded by the nonprofit Welfare Association. It sits on about 40 acres in Birzeit, near Ramallah. Once complete, the museum will be the largest institution dedicated to conserving Palestine’s heritage, history and national culture, as well as presenting these aspects of Palestinian culture to the world through modern technology.
The museum is located on a hill near Birzeit University. Designed by an Irish architecture firm, the museum is modern with a distinguished, civilized facade. The architectural style is derived from historic Palestinian agricultural terraces that divided land with stone walls to prevent erosion and conserve rainwater. Several gardens, orchards and original Palestinian flora surround the museum.
snip* “The idea to establish a museum commemorating the Nakba came about on the 50th anniversary in 1998. But then it evolved into the establishment of a museum for the last 200 years of the Palestinian people’s life and history, documenting their cultural evolution. Working on the project began effectively in 2010, and three years later, the staff was appointed. Its first stage is scheduled to be completed in 2016, and it will be built on 3,500 square meters [0.9 acres], while work on the second stage will begin after 10 years. This will include the museum’s permanent collection."
Read more: http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2015/05/palestine-israel-museum-heritage-nakba-old-photographs.html#ixzz3bLx01CPs
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