2009 Programs and Events
Consulate Offers Women of Abboud Village Training in Cultural Preservation
As part of the ongoing grant with the Palestinian Association for Cultural Exchange (PACE), and the first grant given to Palestinians under the U.S. Department of State’s Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation, U.S. Consulate General Jerusalem and director of PACE, Dr. Adel Yahya, visited Abboud village near Ramallah to launch the opening for a training workshop for ten female residents of the village. Over the next two months, twice a week, they will receive training on jewelry design and production under the supervision a Palestinian expert jewelry designer. They will learn how to make traditional Palestinian jewelry, as well as how to showcase and benefit from the sale of their work. In her remarks to the participants, Cultural Affairs Officer Cynthia Harvey emphasized U.S. Government support for such initiatives that promote Palestinian cultural heritage and traditions and encouraged the women to pursue this new opportunity that will support the local economy as well as preserve this key element to Palestinian heritage. Also during the visit, the village council chairman Abu Saleh discussed ways to promote tourism in Abboud village, including establishing a museum and organizing a festival.
