Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will officially launch a yearlong celebration of Jerusalem as the Capital of Arab Culture for 2009 at a ceremony in the West Bank city of Bethlehem on Saturday.
Simultaneous ceremonies will also take place in Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Gaza, Nazareth, and Mar Ilias Refugee Camp in Lebanon. These synchronized celebrations in five locations reflect the desire of building a cultural bridge between Palestinian people in Palestine and Palestinians in the Diaspora.
Al-Quds Capital of Arab Culture festival has faced an uphill battle organizing events in Israeli-occupied Jerusalem. The Israeli-controlled Municipality has not granted any permits for events to take place there.
Several Arab states are sending their cultural ministers to participate in the ceremony, as well as many Arab intellectuals and artists.
The ceremony begins in Bethlehem at 5:00pm. A kite will fly in the air with eight-sided star. There will then be a moment of silence for the "martyrs" who sacrificed their lives for the Palestinian cause. To be followed by Jerusalem choir who sings the Palestinian national anthem, "Fida'i." There will be a recitation from the Quran from the city of Jerusalem, and the tolling of church bells.
A speech will then be delivered on behalf of the Arab Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization by its chief Muhammad Bin Aashour.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will light a torch signaling the beginning of the celebrations. After that the renowned Palestinian Popular Arts Band (Firqat Al-Funoun Ash-Sha'biyya) will present a Palestinian heritage show titled "We Dance for Freedom."
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