This online exhibition is a legacy created to illustrate Multaka’s longstanding partnerships with two organisations, Al Amari Women’s Program Centre and the Oxford Ramallah Friendship Association.
In the summer of 2023, expert embroiderers from the women’s centre, based in Al Amari Refugee Camp in Ramallah visited Oxford to share the power and beauty of Palestinian cultural heritage and tatreez with local communities. Collaborating with the artists, Oxford Ramallah Friendship Association and Palestinian communities and organisations based in Oxfordshire, the museum facilitated a series of tatreez museum research sessions, workshops and a pop exhibition. The events were a celebration of Palestinian stitching, craft and culture from before the Nakba through to the present day.
At the time of these events in 2023 it was the 75th anniversary of the Nakba (the catastrophe). In 1948, 531 Palestinian towns and villages were destroyed by Israeli forces; 85% of Palestinians were forced into exile or displaced. Much had to be left behind but traditional culture stayed powerfully present and was at the centre of Palestinian society. Sadly, a similar threat to Palestinian culture and life is posed by the ongoing genocide in Gaza.
Thus, the message of Sumud (steadfastness) and holding the roots of Palestinians homelands which are being continually fragmented and destroyed is as important as ever.
View online exhibition below
Click on the three dots [...] in bottom right corner to enter full screen for optimal viewing.
https://view.genially.com/66b64a4fd7c59b1db2f84638
To learn more about Oxford Ramallah Friendship Association and the life in AlAmari refugee camp click here.
To learn more about Multaka click here.
