2008 Programs and Events
Jericho Book Clubs "Enchanted" by U.S. Classic in Arabic Translation
Children at the American Corner in Jericho and the Jericho Children's Center are "enchanted" with American classics like "Ella Enchanted" that have been translated into Arabic thanks to a U.S. government funded program. On July 2, the American Corner's book club met to discuss "Ella Enchanted" which is an adventure with princes, giants, stepsisters, and fairy godmothers. The children were fascinated by similar depictions of fairies in Arabic and Muslim fairy tales and commented at length about this cultural parallel. Meanwhile, the book club at the Jericho Children's Center was reinvigorated by the Consulate's donation of American children's classics in Arabic translation. At a June 14 meeting, 36 boys and girls between the ages of 10-12, gathered to discuss their impressions of "Ella Enchanted."
They, too, were captivated by the story and its characters and enthusiastically shared the new vocabulary they had learned from the book with the center's director.
American Corners is a program funded by the U.S. State Department that furnishes existing community centers with resources that help individuals expand their general knowledge and skills, and better understand American society and culture.