HEBRON – Ma’an – The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities launched the “Our Roots” campaign from the old city of Hebron to preserve the tangible cultural heritage in the presence of Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Hani Al-Hayek, Minister of Culture Imad Hamdan, Governor of Hebron Khaled Dudin, Ms. Sarah Paul, Special Representative of the United Nations Development Program in Palestine, Ms. Lily Naistani Hailo, Director of the UNESCO Office in Palestine, Ms. Mona Ishaq, Director of the Culture Program at the European Union, Mr. Atef Al-Jamal, Director of Education in Hebron Governorate, and a large number of representatives of Hebron institutions and heritage preservation institutions in Palestine. The “Our Roots” campaign, which is carried out by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, is carried out in partnership with relevant ministries, civil society institutions, local authorities and the private sector, and with the support of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). A group of partner instit
utions will implement targeted activities in heritage sites in various Palestinian governorates through the Welfare Association/Jerusalem, the Heritage Preservation Center/Bethlehem, the Hebron Rehabilitation Committee/Hebron, the Riwaq Foundation/Ramallah and the Sebastia Municipality.
The Roots Campaign is a national campaign that aims to raise awareness among citizens about archaeological and heritage sites, and the need to adhere to the Palestinian identity, and encourage domestic tourism to these sites with the aim of enhancing the presence of citizens in these places, and protecting them from theft and Israeli settlement, through cultural, social and economic activities in more than fifteen heritage sites in various Palestinian governorates, where the launch ceremony took place at the Old Hebron Museum in the center of the Old City of Hebron.
Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Mr. Hani Al-Hayek, stressed the importance of the project in identifying the importance of our archaeological sites and prot
ecting them from the measures of the Israeli occupation, which is working to Judaize and steal them. By increasing the presence in these sites, we will contribute to protecting and preserving them.
Minister Al-Hayek said in his speech that the Palestinian government, headed by Prime Minister Dr. Mohammad Mustafa, is making every effort to overcome the obstacles and impediments facing the complex Palestinian reality resulting from the occupation and its practices. With everyone’s solidarity and cooperation, we will succeed in overcoming the obstacles and impediments imposed on us by the Israeli occupier. We are here, a government and a people, who will remain until the end, for we are the owners of the land and history.
Minister of Culture Mr. Imad Hamdan stressed the importance of this campaign in introducing the younger generation to the importance of our national sites and that it will contribute to raising cultural awareness.
Governor of Hebron, Mr. Khaled Dudin, stressed the importance of this initiati
ve, especially since it will target historical sites threatened by the occupation. Launching this initiative from the Old City of Hebron is a clear message to everyone that we will not give up our Palestinian historical and archaeological sites, no matter what measures we are subjected to due to the occupation.
Ms. Sarah Paul, the Special Representative of the United Nations Development Program in Palestine, stressed the importance of cooperation with the State of Palestine in the field of preventing visits to archaeological sites and informing society of the importance of these sites, stressing the continuation of the partnership with Palestinian government institutions in various fields, especially the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.
Ms. Lily Naistani Hailu, Director of the UNESCO Office in Palestine, spoke about the importance of Palestine to UNESCO, as Palestine has registered a number of archaeological sites on the World Heritage List, and we are here ready to provide all forms of support and assi
stance and are open to cooperation with everyone.
During the event, a campaign financing agreement was signed between the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and the United Nations Development Program, as well as organizing a tour of the old town and a visit to a number of institutions, events, and archaeological and tourist sites.
Source:Maan News Agency