Beit Anan / PNN – Four nights of joy and singing in Jerusalem culminated tonight with the Dabkeh People.

Poetry and children's programs were integral to the Summer Nights Festival that brought 15,000 people to the streets of East Jerusalem for the events.

In attendance was also Qais Abu Laila Abdel Karim, a Member of the Legislative Council and a member of the Political Bureau of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine. Other officials included a representative of the Palestinian President, the Minister of Social Affairs in the Palestinian government and the Palestinian Governor of Jerusalem. Representatives of the northwest Jerusalem municipalities were also on hand.

Representatives of civil institutions from Jerusalem and Ramallah took part along with teams of local poets and artists: singer Reem Banna, the Peace and Security Task Force, folklore troupes, Jerusalem poet Dr. Wa’el Abu Arafa, and Nablus and Jaffa cultural centers.

Sheikh Husam is Director of the Center of the Cultural Forum, Beit Anan that organized the festival. The program came within the activities of “Jerusalem as Capital of Arab Culture 2009” and under the auspices of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Husam said Saturday, “The public and popular and official support confirms what a great festival we’ve held, and for the first time, in the village of Beit Anan in northwest Jerusalem. It was a response and a challenge to the occupying authorities who regularly prevent the established events and celebrations of ‘Jerusalem as Capital of Arab Culture’ in the city of Jerusalem. We at the Forum are reflecting Palestinian culture with the events and purpose.”
 
For four nights more than 15,000 people attended the events, said Husam, who said that promoting Palestinian culture is a part of daily life and will not be squelched.

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