A spectacular opening night launched the 4th Palestine International Festival on Friday 21 June in Ramallah, Palestine. The Festival flame was lit on top of a marble column and dancers from Palestine's own Al-Funoun Popular Dance Troupe performed a specially choreographed dance to celebrate the next two weeks. Also performing were the Al-Ba'ath Choir from Shafa 'Amr in the Galilee with an excert from their new production, Heisa, the singer Reem Talhami and oud player Samir Jubran from Nazareth.
The mythological phoenix (below right) is the theme of this year's Festival. Like the ancient phoenix rising from the ashes to resurrect itself, Palestine's cultural importance, from producing the world's first letter alphabet in the Canaanite period, to developments in the present day, will be celebrated. Throughout the centuries cultural influences have moved outwards and into this part of the Arab world across geographical and national boundaries. The Festival continues this tradition and each evening will highlight the contribution made by Palestine's 12 main towns and cities.
