Curator Tour: Gaza Remains the Story

On July 12th and 13th in the heart of D.C., we will gather for a two-day event dedicated to educating and uplifting the voices and stories of the Palestinian people. As people from around the world take to the streets for Palestine, the Museum of the Palestinian People seeks to provide a space that renews our connection to each other and educates the public about who we are. Even as attempts to erase our art, culture, and people continue, we invite you to join us for two days of solidarity in sharing the art of Palestinian resistance and الصمود (Samud, steadfastness). Gather together in community for our two-day event, “Preserving Palestinian Identity: Art as Resistance” on July 12th and 13th in Washington D.C. On Saturday, our community will come together for a family-friendly day of Palestinian history lessons, a Voices from Gaza Reading, art from Palestinian artists, Palestinian food, live painting, kite education and painting table, and henna tattoos. Tickets: Free with a suggested donation ($5, $10, $20) Register today! Saturday, July 13th SCHEDULE: 11am-5pm 11:00 am - Festival Opens Throughout the day at the tables:  First Floor On Display:Art from Palestine and the Diaspora Community Art Project Kite Painting Table / Section Traditional Palestinian Crafts Showcase Henna Tattooing Second Floor— Reading Nook Live Readings from Hannah Moushabeck Interlink Publishing Table, oldest Palestinian-owned publisher in the US. Middle Eastern Book Store Table Third Floor Food by: Chef Marcelle G Afram (Shababi) Chef Jinan Deena (Bayti- Palestinian Hospitality Culinary Experience) Cosby Hall Event Schedule 12:30 pm-1pm: Dabke Student Performance by District Debkeh with Free Dabke Lessons Afterwards 1 pm: Dabke Performance by Faris El-Layl Dabke 1:30 pm – 2:00 pm: Artist Ahmed Mansour speaks on his works 2pm – 2:30 pm: Musical performance by Mohamed Karzon 3pm – 4pm: Music Performance by Fuad Foty

As we approach the one year mark since our people in Palestine showed the world that the Palestinian people will continue to resist against the occupation of our land, the Museum of the Palestinian People will be hosting Voices from Falastin, a performance that will honor and center the Palestinian voices and direct testimonies from inside Gaza and the West Bank over the last 365 days. In just one year, the Lancet Report estimates the death toll in Palestine to be more than 186,000. As we continue forward in the diaspora and in Washington, DC, we vow to honor those who have been killed in the ongoing genocide and ensure their voices are heard across the world. In Voices from Falastin we will spotlight testimonies from Khan Younis in Southern Gaza to the testimonies of children illegally imprisoned in Israeli prisons. Each testimony vividly conveys stories of forced expulsion, love, despair and steadfast resilience. All the testimonies will be read and performed by Palestinians living in the DMV area. On Sunday, September 29, we will host two showings of Voices from Falastin at 3pm and 7pm. Proceeds from the showings will be donated to HEAL Palestine and Anera to support the dire need for mutual aid in the form of medical treatment, food, shelter, and more in Gaza and the West Bank. We hope you will join us as an act of solidarity for our people on the land who remain steadfast in their resistance against all odds.

As we approach the one year mark since our people in Palestine showed the world that the Palestinian people will continue to resist against the occupation of our land, the Museum of the Palestinian People will be hosting Voices from Falastin, a performance that will honor and center the Palestinian voices and direct testimonies from inside Gaza and the West Bank over the last 365 days. In just one year, the Lancet Report estimates the death toll in Palestine to be more than 186,000. As we continue forward in the diaspora and in Washington, DC, we vow to honor those who have been killed in the ongoing genocide and ensure their voices are heard across the world. In Voices from Falastin we will spotlight testimonies from Khan Younis in Southern Gaza to the testimonies of children illegally imprisoned in Israeli prisons. Each testimony vividly conveys stories of forced expulsion, love, despair and steadfast resilience. All the testimonies will be read and performed by Palestinians living in the DMV area. On Sunday, September 29, we will host two showings of Voices from Falastin at 3pm and 7pm. Proceeds from the showings will be donated to HEAL Palestine and Anera to support the dire need for mutual aid in the form of medical treatment, food, shelter, and more in Gaza and the West Bank. We hope you will join us as an act of solidarity for our people on the land who remain steadfast in their resistance against all odds.

This event is sold out, but you can still support the Museum's fundraising efforts by donating or participating in our silent auction.

The Museum of the Palestinian People will be hosting Simon Sakkab on Sunday, December 15th for family mornings at the Museum! He will be leading a story-time and a discussion beginning at 10:30 AM, followed by a child-led museum tour. 'Palestine A- Z ': 'Palestine A to Z' is an English-Arabic bilingual, illustrated book for children. It has tempo, rhyme and alliteration; a joy to read for every generation. It takes the reader from the aspirations of a people to return to their homes in their homeland, through ancestral lemon and olive groves, ancient biblical cities, street foods, tents and refugee camps, to Palestinians' rich history and culture. The author and the illustrators worked hand-in-hand to convey multiple themes and symbols in colorful and meaningful illustrations. About Simon Sakkab: Simon Sakkab is a first generation Palestinian-American. He learned about Palestine, first hand, from his grandmother, a Christian Palestinian, who with her family became refugees during the Nakba of 1948. He has visited many parts of Palestine, and has stories to tell about his experiences and adventures. The book is a labor of love. The author hopes that children of Palestinian descent learn about where they come from, and their beautiful, rich heritage; also, to inspire the curiosity of children worldwide, encouraging them to learn more about Palestine.

Join us for a Zoom conversation with Mohammad Sabaaneh about his life in Palestine, art, and how the two intertwine. Mohammad Sabaaneh’s art is on display at the Museum of the Palestinian People through February 2025. About the Artist: Mohammad Sabaaneh is a Palestinian cartoonist and a former political prisoner in Israel. He is the author of White and Black (2017) and Power Born of Dreams: My Story is Palestine (2021), whichwon the 2022 Palestine Book Award. His new book, 30 Seconds from Gaza: Diary of Genocidewill be released spring 2025. He is a Middle East representative for the Cartoonists Rights Network International and has had his work published in the Middle East Monitor, Al-Quds Al-Arabi, Al-Hayat al-Jadida and many others. He teaches art at the Arab American University of Palestine. Sabaaneh’s art challenges the narratives imposed by the occupying forces by bringing to life the faces, emotions, and stories of those often overlooked. As he describes it, his art is a form of defiance against the erasure and dehumanization of Palestinians. By using stark imagery and powerful symbolism, Sabaaneh seeks to rehumanize the Palestinian people, affirming their identity, dignity, and rights as the indigenous inhabitants of their land.

In honor of International Women’s Day, join us for a special Family Morning at the Museum as we celebrate the inspiring story of Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib and her journey to Washington. We will read Mama in Congress: Rashida Tlaib’s Journey to Washington, a powerful book that tells the story of how Rashida Tlaib became the first Palestinian-American woman elected to the U.S. Congress. Written by Tlaib herself, along with Miranda Paul and Adam Tlaib, and illustrated by Olivia Aserr, the book emphasizes the importance of representation and the significance of Palestinian women in leadership roles. Through this story, we’ll explore themes of resilience, identity, and the transformative impact of having diverse voices in positions of power. This event will highlight the importance of representation in shaping a more inclusive future, especially for Palestinian women and girls, who often face barriers to being seen and heard. All ages are welcome to come together and celebrate the trailblazing path of Rashida Tlaib and the power of women in leadership.

Wafa Ghnaim is a Palestinian dress historian, embroiderer, researcher, educator, and the museum’s Curator. Drawing from the museum’s permanent collection, she will present a selection of Palestinian dresses that illustrate the historical and cultural significance of textile traditions in the diaspora and their path to the Museum of the Palestinian People. In recognition of International Women’s Day, Wafa will also examine the role of Palestinian women as cultural stewards, analyzing how dressmaking and tatreez (Palestinian embroidery) function as acts of resistance against cultural erasure. Through this lens, she will explore how embroidery preserves collective memory, asserts self-determination, and sustains Palestinian heritage in the face of ongoing dispossession.

Join us for a powerful and deeply moving screening of From Ground Zero, an Oscar-shortlisted film capturing the lives of Palestinians in Gaza over the past year. Initiated by Palestinian director Rashid Masharawi, this extraordinary collection of short films brings together the voices of twenty-two Palestinian filmmakers living through war, revealing intimate and untold stories beyond the headlines. Through moments of both joy and pain, From Ground Zero offers a rare and unfiltered perspective on the resilience of our people persevering through wartime. The film’s cumulative emotional impact is unforgettable, making this a screening you won’t want to miss. If you haven’t yet had the chance to experience this remarkable film, now is the time. Join us as we bear witness to these powerful stories and honor the resiliency of our filmmakers.

Join us for a powerful and deeply moving screening of From Ground Zero, an Oscar-shortlisted film capturing the lives of Palestinians in Gaza over the past year. Initiated by Palestinian director Rashid Masharawi, this extraordinary collection of short films brings together the voices of twenty-two Palestinian filmmakers living through war, revealing intimate and untold stories beyond the headlines. Through moments of both joy and pain, From Ground Zero offers a rare and unfiltered perspective on the resilience of our people persevering through wartime. The film’s cumulative emotional impact is unforgettable, making this a screening you won’t want to miss. If you haven’t yet had the chance to experience this remarkable film, now is the time. Join us as we bear witness to these powerful stories and honor the resiliency of our filmmakers.