Date: February 23,2025
Department of Refugee Affairs Discusses Cooperation with the Palestinian Association for Contemporary Art to Commemorate the 77th Anniversary of the Nakba Through Meaningful Artistic Activities
Dr. Ahmed Abu Holi, member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and Head of the Department of Refugee Affairs, welcomed a delegation from the Palestinian Association for Contemporary Art, led by Mr. Osama Nazzal and the association’s Chairwoman, artist Naveen Abu Al-Walaya, in a joint meeting aimed at organizing a remarkable art exhibition to commemorate the 77th anniversary of the Nakba. The meeting also focused on launching an art competition that reflects the reality of the Palestinian people and the unprecedented challenges they are currently facing.
The planned art exhibition aims to shed light on the daily suffering of Palestinians, particularly those living in refugee camps, amid continuous targeting and forced displacement by the occupation. Additionally, it seeks to highlight ongoing attempts to undermine the role of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and the persistent pressures to annex the West Bank.
Dr. Abu Holi emphasized the significance of this collaboration as part of continuous efforts to document the suffering of Palestinian refugees through art. He pointed out that both the exhibition and competition will serve as powerful platforms for expressing the reality of Palestinians wherever they reside. He stated, “This initiative aims to convey the suffering of our Palestinian people to the world and deliver a strong message about the challenges we face, including forced displacement, the targeting of our rights, attempts to weaken UNRWA, and efforts to alter the demographic landscape in Palestinian territories.”
For his part, Mr. Osama Nazzal praised the collaboration with the Department of Refugee Affairs, stressing that the exhibition and competition will embody the concerns and aspirations of the Palestinian people, using art as a powerful means of expression. He stated, “Art carries strong messages, and we believe that this artistic project will help share the Palestinian story through various artworks, highlighting the legitimate rights that deserve global attention.”
The participants underscored the importance of presenting a convincing artistic narrative that reflects the challenges faced by the Palestinian people. They also emphasized the need for continued cooperation with the Department of Refugee Affairs and public institutions to strengthen Palestinian identity through contemporary art.
At the end of the meeting, the delegation presented Dr. Ahmed Abu Holi with a commemorative shield in recognition of his efforts to uphold the refugee cause and support their resilience.
