As part of its commitment to promoting cultural awareness and preserving national identity, Palestine Technical University – Kadoorie PTUK, through its Library, organized a cultural symposium in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture Office in Tulkarm and the Cultural Advisory Council, titled “The Role of Educational Institutions and Cultural Centers in Preserving and Safeguarding Palestinian Heritage.”
The event, held in the University Library Hall, brought together representatives of community institutions, heritage enthusiasts, and university students, in celebration of Palestinian Heritage Day.
Opening the symposium, Mr. Bassam Al-Qassem, Director of PTUK Library, welcomed the attendees and expressed his pride in hosting such a significant cultural event that highlights the importance of Palestinian heritage as a cornerstone of national identity.
He emphasized that the university library, in line with PTUK’s vision, serves as a hub of intellectual, scientific, and cultural enlightenment—committed to enriching students’ academic experience and fostering partnerships with local community institutions for the public and national good.
For his part, Dr. Montaser Al-Qumm, Director of the Ministry of Culture Office in Tulkarm, explained that the symposium is part of a series of activities organized across the country to mark Palestinian Heritage Day, underscoring the central role of cultural heritage—both tangible and intangible—as a foundation of Palestinian identity and a testament to the deep-rooted connection to the land and history.
He called for greater collaboration between educational and cultural institutions to safeguard heritage and pass it on to future generations, praising PTUK for hosting the event and for its ongoing support of cultural initiatives that protect national heritage and promote public awareness of its significance.
The symposium featured several academics, media professionals, and cultural figures. Dr. Osama Abdullah, who moderated the discussion, stressed the importance of protecting Palestinian heritage amid the ongoing assault on national identity, describing it as a collective duty to defend the Palestinian narrative and historical continuity.
Ms. Maha Hanoon, member of the administrative board at the Child Development Center, spoke about the crucial role of cultural centers in raising public awareness of Palestinian heritage. She highlighted that efforts to preserve heritage must begin in early childhood by connecting younger generations with their cultural and historical roots, thereby fostering a sense of belonging and pride in national identity.
She added that cultural centers bear a major responsibility through awareness programs and initiatives that revive folk traditions and strengthen the link between the past and present.
Dr. Abdullah Mahmoud, Director of the Documentation Center at PTUK, reaffirmed the university’s dedication to preserving Palestinian heritage as both a national duty and a collective responsibility.
He spoke about the role of universities in deepening cultural awareness among youth and introducing them to the diverse elements of heritage—oral, material, and intangible—such as customs, traditions, folk songs, and artifacts, while countering attempts to distort or appropriate them.
Mr. Mohammad Zayed, Cultural Activities Supervisor at the Tulkarm Directorate of Education, emphasized the importance of integrating Palestinian heritage into the educational process and school activities to reinforce identity and national belonging.
He noted that schools provide fertile ground for cultural education through arts, music, and theatre, helping to make heritage a living component of students’ daily learning experiences.
Media professional Mu’in Shadeed underlined that Palestinian heritage is not merely a cultural or artistic legacy, but a vital pillar of national identity and resistance against erasure. He warned against neglecting heritage poses a threat to collective memory and to Palestinians’ right to preserve their history and connection to their land.
Shadeed further highlighted the pivotal role of Palestinian media in protecting heritage by using modern tools—documentaries, investigative reports, and digital platforms—to promote and disseminate folk culture to current and future generations. He concluded by stressing that cooperation among educational institutions, cultural centers, and national media forms the first line of defense in safeguarding Palestinian heritage.
The event concluded with an open discussion, during which participants exchanged ideas on strategies to protect and integrate Palestinian heritage into education, culture, and media, in order to strengthen public awareness and reinforce national belonging among younger generations.
