Reflections Initiative – For Young Palestinian Artists

The "Reflections" initiative aims to support young Palestinian artists by providing a creative space that allows them to explore and artistically document historical and archaeological sites in Palestine, in a way that promotes national identity and cultural belonging.

The initiative is built around organized field visits to selected heritage sites, where young artists are encouraged to draw and photograph inspired by the atmosphere and architecture of each place. Each artist uses their own tools and perspectives, resulting in a rich and diverse collection of artworks that reflect the aesthetics of Palestinian architecture and the spirit of each location.

Jericho Stop – Nabi Musa and Hisham’s Palace
The initiative launched from the city of Jericho with the participation of artists from different Palestinian areas. The first day coincided with the completion of restoration works at Nabi Musa, where artists painted the site in a scene filled with art, visitors, and celebration of heritage.

The next day, the artists visited Hisham’s Palace. They wandered through its ornate ruins and ancient architecture, drawing inspiration from its intricate details. The resulting artworks were not only inspired by the site itself, but also from their own hometowns and personal stories, adding a deeply emotional and individual touch.

Hebron Stop – The Old City
In cooperation with the Ministry of Culture, the Governorate of Hebron, the Hebron Rehabilitation Committee, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, Hanin Plastic Arts Gathering, and the Palestinian Association for Children's Culture and Arts, part of the initiative was carried out in the Old City of Hebron.

The artists visited the ancient neighborhoods and architectural landmarks of the city and expressed their impressions through paintings that embodied the place’s spirit and history.
The activities concluded with an art exhibition titled "Artistic Reflections: From the Walls of Memory to the Canvases of the World", held at the Shajarat Al-Durr Museum (formerly the Abd al-Nabi Natsha Press).
Over 65 artists from across Palestine participated in the exhibition, expressing their identity and longing through paintings inspired by folklore, old alleyways, and the stones of ancestral homes.

The exhibition featured an interactive voting experience through Sharek Youth Forum’s Facebook page, allowing the public to choose their favorite artworks alongside a professional jury. Visitors also enjoyed guided tours through the old city's alleys and traditional markets.

The recognized artists in Hebron were:

Best Painting (Facebook Vote): Malak Abu Harb

Best Painting (Jury Selection): Rama Hijazi

Artworks that Best Captured the Spirit of the “Reflections” Initiative:
Saja Asfour, Hiba Al-Jammal, and Mai Iyad Hantash

Nablus Stop – The Old City
In Nablus, Sharek Youth Forum, in partnership with the "Yalla" Project and Qasaba Youth Center, organized another exhibition under the same title, "Artistic Reflections: From the Walls of Memory to the Canvases of the World", at Clock Tower Square in the Old City.

The exhibition featured works by young male and female artists expressing Palestinian identity and nostalgic connections to place. The paintings were drawn from collective memory and inspired by historical Palestinian sites.
The exhibition received wide engagement from the public and featured another interactive voting experience via Facebook, in addition to jury selection, which enhanced community participation and support for youth art.

The recognized artists in Nablus were:

Best Painting (Facebook Vote): Dima Al-Husseini

Best Painting (Jury Selection): Baraa Jabarin

Artworks that Best Captured the Spirit of the “Reflections” Initiative:
Marah Saif, Siraj Awawdeh, and Khetam Al-Najjar

Ni'lin Stop – Al-Khawaja Castle
In the town of Ni'lin, the activity took place at Al-Khawaja Castle, one of the "chair villages" used by the Ottomans for tax collection.
Artists drew and photographed the site from various angles using different tools and techniques, resulting in expressive artworks that captured both visual and emotional impressions left by the site.

Silent Exhibition at the Youth Village
A silent exhibition was also held at the Youth Village, symbolizing presence and resilience in an area repeatedly targeted by settler violence.
The exhibition stood as an artistic act of resistance, conveying a powerful message of life, perseverance, and steadfastness in the face of oppression.

Conclusion
"Reflections" is not just an art initiative—it is a continuous journey to revive Palestinian memory and affirm identity through creativity. It believes that a paintbrush can be a tool of resistance, and that art has the power to redraw the contours of a homeland and open windows of hope.

This initiative was coordinated by Lara Yasin, and supervised by Sarah Anbar and Bader Zmareh.