“Timeless Hands” Exhibition Opens in Bethlehem, Reviving Palestinian Crafts Through Contemporary Design

Bethlehem Municipality and the UNESCO Office in Ramallah opened “Timeless Hands” at the Bethlehem Peace Center on 10 November 2026, with support from the European Union. Mayor Hanna Samir Hanania attended the opening with municipal council members George Salman and Thaer Abayat. Speakers included Rania Malki Bandak, Director of the Bethlehem Peace Center, George Joseph, Head of Culture at UNESCO’s Ramallah office, and Serge Mriati, Head of Governance at the Office of the European Union Representative in Palestine. Curator Johnny Kort introduced the exhibition to guests, including Palestinian artisans and designers.

The exhibition features 27 collaborative projects by artisans and design students working with six Palestinian crafts at risk of disappearing. Their designs combine contemporary ideas with traditional techniques such as glassblowing, weaving and olive wood carving, helping pass these skills on to a new generation. Visitors also met local artisans and explored their handmade products at a traditional crafts market.