Press Releases

U.S. Consulate General Jerusalem Showcases U.S. Culture, Donates 2,600 Books to visitors at the Palestinian Ministry of Culture’s Children’s Book Fair in Ramallah

9/31/2007

Press Release

August 31,2007

Jerusaelm

For Immediate Release

U.S. officials are joining the celebration of reading at the Palestinian Ministry of Culture’s first International Children’s Book Fair held in Ramallah from August 29 to September 12.  In a booth showcasing American culture and literature, representatives from the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem are giving away over 2,600 titles of American authored books in Arabic translation.  The books, chosen for their wide appeal to girls and boys in the 8-16 age range, include “A Wrinkle in Time” by Madeleine L’Engle, “Loser” by Jerry Spinelli, and “Sarah, Plain and Tall” by Patricia MacLachlan.  They were translated into Arabic as part of the U.S. State Department’s “Regional Book Office” program which supports the publication and distribution of American books in Arabic that explain American culture, showcase American intellectual and artistic achievements, and address some of the pressing issues of mutual concern to Americans and Arabs.    

The staff of the U.S. Consulate General Jerusalem is partnering with Palestinian young alumni of U.S. government education exchange or training programs, who are helping to staff the booth and conducting story telling sessions of traditional American fables for school children at the fair. These dynamic young people are participants in U.S. government-funded English language enrichment activities, the ACCESS program, or have spent a year abroad at an American high school as part of the U.S. government-funded YES exchange program. 

After reviewing the many stands at the Book Fair opening, U.S. Consulate General Public Affairs Officer Micaela Schweitzer-Bluhm commented,  “The U.S. government is pleased to support the Palestinian Ministry of Culture in their important initiative to cultivate a culture of reading among young people. Reading opens the door to many new worlds, and we are happy to share some of our rich American literary tradition with Palestinian children.”  

All the books at the U.S. Consulate Book Fair booth are being given away free of charge. 

For more information please contact the U.S. Consulate’s Press Office at 02-622-6908 or 02-622-6909 or Assistant Information Officer Christina Higgins at 054-678-8501.