September, 1997:

Again in September, cultural activities were disrupted (canceled or postponed) due to the two closures imposed on the West Bank and Gaza by the Israeli military. These activities went ahead, however:

Cinema/Television

* A film festival was held in Hebron , featuring a number of recent Palestinian films, seen in Hebron for the first time, in addition to a British documentary by Nicholas Glasstock on Palestinian children..

* The first Palestinian TV series completed post production, and a sample episode was screened to the public in Ramallah. The 13 episode series titled:" Al Quloub al Muhajira" (migrant hearts), was written by Qassem Abd el Hadi, directed by Hadi Freihat, and produced by the Palestinian Artistic Production Company. It features an all Palestinian cast, & was shot on location in the West Bank. It is expected to air later in 1997 on Palestinian television, and to be sold to a number of Arab TV stations.

Visual Arts:

* Photographer Mahfuz Abu Turk’s recent photo-exhibit on Jerusalem opened in Jerusalem’s Sumud and Ribat tent camp, housing families whose homes were demolished by the Israelis this summer.

Literature

The first poetry collection by poet Samih Faraj titled "Ihtifal" (festivity) was published in Bethlehem.