Jerusalem Arab Libraries Get Together Online
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- Published on Friday, 22 June 2012 09:13
PNN
Euromed Heritage Info Days: a review of the actions taken in the Palestinian Territories within the framework of the Euromed-Heritage IV program
Only one year ago, one could have not imagined this: but today the Arabic Manuscripts Digital Library of Jerusalem is a reality. The first meeting together was held in December 2011, and in a few months, the Jerusalem libraries – thanks to the support received by the Manumed project within the framework of the Euromed Heritage 4 programme – were able to get together and to develop a single digital space to share and expose their collections.
The Digital Library was presented to the public on June 20th, at 5:00 pm at the Khalidi Library, Old City of Jerusalem, in the presence of the European Union Representative, Mr. John Gatt-Rutter.
This Euromed Heritage Info Days event offered the opportunity for a review of the actions taken within the framework of the Euromed-Heritage IV program. Three projects have been working recently on the preservation and revitalization of the cultural heritage in the Occupied Palestinian Territory: Manumed, Med-Mem and Mutual Heritage. For the first time, they will get together to endorse and disseminate to the public the results and impacts they have achieved.
Among the many accomplishments, the Arabic Manuscripts Digital Library of Jerusalem stands for its uniqueness. The partners that have decided to put together their own manuscripts collection to develop a single digital library are the Khalidi Library, the Budeiri Library, the Al Aqsa Library, the Al Ansari Library and the Waqf Restoration Center. In a few weeks, thanks to a simple internet connection, this on-line library will be able to offer a free-of- charge, multilingual access to dozens of thousands of images. The libraries will also work together within a scientific committee and will be encouraged to develop common projects in the field of the preservation and revitalization of cultural heritage.
On June 21st, at the Birzeit University, a public conference addressed the theme of 'Heritage and Development', followed by few presentations of the EH projects' achievements. The event will be enhanced by the inauguration of exhibitions created or published within the Euromed-Heritage IV program framework, the 'Manumed' exhibitions and the Crossing viewpoints photo exhibition.
