Shepherds' Nights Festival in Beit Sahour, West Bank, Palestine 12/23/10: video

by dave id

Thu, Dec 30, 2010 2:34AM

Beit Sahour is a mostly Christian village directly east of Bethlehem in the West Bank. The town played a key role in the First and Second Intifadas, with local activists pioneering nonviolent resistance techniques. On December 23rd through 25th, 2010, Beit Sahour hosted its third annual Shepherds' Nights Festival to mark the Christmas holiday. The Festival is a family-friendly event with musical performers, dancers, local artisan and food vendors, a Santa Claus with gifts for children, and a candlelight procession through Beit Sahour on the final day to "Light a candle for the establishment of a Palestinian State." The three-day event is organized jointly by the Palestinian Center for Rapprochement between People (PCR) and the Joint Advocacy Initiative (JAI), a program of the East Jerusalem and Shepherds' Field YMCA/YWCAs.

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Palestinian Center for Rapprochement between People
http://www.pcr.ps

The PCR founded, and shares an office with, the International Middle East Media Center
http://www.imemc.org

Joint Advocacy Initiative
http://www.jai-pal.org

For more information: http://indybay.org/palestine

§Silent Night in Arabic and Gloria in Excelsis Deo by marching band with bagpipes

by dave id

Thu, Dec 30, 2010 2:34AM

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Silent Night was recorded from the Festival sound system during sound checks before the December 23rd show. The marching band from the the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land Catholic church, across the street from the Festival location in the Greek Melikite Catholic School playground, was practicing their routine for the December 25th Candlelight Procession, as well to welcome church leaders to Beit Sahour that night.

http://indybay.org/palestine

§Palestinian National Anthem opens first night of Festival after introductory remarks and awards presented by bilingual MCs

by dave id

Thu, Dec 30, 2010 2:34AM

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Just before the Palestinian national anthem was played over the sound system, while everyone in attendance stood, a moment of silence was held to honor the martyrs and those currently behind bars in Israeli prisons.

http://indybay.org/palestine

§Rim Al-Bana performed and spoke in all Arabic

by dave id

Thu, Dec 30, 2010 2:34AM