This is the second phase of a project that was launched two years ago by the Khalil Al Sakakini Cultural Center when the calendar "The Flowering Heritage of Palestine 2004" was released. This remarkable calendar included wonderful paintings of twelve different Palestinian wildflowers during the month they are most easily seen, accompanied by an explanation about the nature of their growth. The same format is again presented. The successful and admired edition of 2004 was not the sole drive which urged us to release the “Palestinian Wildflowers 2006” calendar. Rather, we at Khalil Al Sakakini Cultural Center have supported this endeavor out of our deep and solid commitment towards raising awareness about the natural heritage in Palestine from an artistic point of view. In the face of relentless Israeli land confiscation policies and chaotic urban expansion, this aesthetically powerful calendar should motivate each one of us to contribute to the protection of our precious endangered natural heritage. In order to communicate to the widest possible audience, particularly the younger Palestinian generations, a special poster of the wildflowers featured in both calendars will be printed. A nationwide campaign will be launched in January to distribute copies of this poster among Palestinian schools in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip in coordination with the Palestinian Ministry of Education. Both calendar and poster will serve as a gateway to our besieged Palestinian population, providing a unique opportunity to gain a greater appreciation for the beauty of our natural heritage. Khalil Al Sakakini Cultural Center would like to thank the Heinrich Boll Foundation for the generous support of both calendars and for the Foundation’s long and deep commitment to the mission of our Center. We would also like to extend our gratitude to all individuals who have contributed to the production of this calendar, especially artists Lois Nakhleh and Joan Musgrave, graphic designer Lena Sobeh, and scientific consultant, Dr. Ori Fragman-Sapir, Jerusalem Botanical Gardens. The Khalil Al Sakakini Cultural Center is a non-governmental, non-profit organization founded in 1996, dedicated to the promotion of the arts and culture in Palestine. Located in Ramallah in a restored traditional mansion, it works in three areas: the visual arts, the Palestinian identity and narrative, and holding regular public activities such as: art exhibits, concerts, literary events, film screenings, children’s activities and lectures. Credits: Introduction: Fatin Farhat & Lois Nakhleh
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