On the western bank of the Jordan, the construction of a large museum has begun
Bir Zeit (West Bank) - Construction of a museum providing an overview of Palestinian history was launched today in the West Bank. In addition to exhibition spaces, it will also offer conference halls. It is set to be the largest project of its kind undertaken in the Palestinian West Bank in terms of size and budget. The museum director, Jack Persekian, told Reuters.
The building, which will cover an area of 9,000 square meters, was designed by the Dublin-based firm Heneghan Peng, which also won the competition for the design of the Egyptian National Museum.
Persekian stated that the museum will contain information not only about Palestinian Muslims and Christians but also about Jews who lived in the West Bank during the British mandate, before Israel was established in 1948. The collections will focus on the past 200 years, covering the Ottoman period, British mandate administration, and the emergence of Israel, which led to the departure of hundreds of Palestinians into diaspora.
In the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem, there are about 30 Palestinian museums, but none of them can match the future museum in size. It will be built near the university in Bir Zeit. The first phase of construction is expected to take two years, cost $15 million (296 million crowns), and involve a building made of rock and stone. It will include a gallery, café, classrooms, and spaces for staff and souvenir vendors.
Several Palestinian officials attended the laying of the foundation stone today. The site is on a grassy hill near the university town of Bir Zeit, offering views of surrounding rocky hills and olive groves. However, access is only via a bumpy road, which does not inspire much confidence among many Palestinians regarding the entire project. Gradually, the site will be developed over an area of 9,000 square meters. The construction will be funded by private contributions with the support of the Palestinian government.
The building, which will cover an area of 9,000 square meters, was designed by the Dublin-based firm Heneghan Peng, which also won the competition for the design of the Egyptian National Museum.
Persekian stated that the museum will contain information not only about Palestinian Muslims and Christians but also about Jews who lived in the West Bank during the British mandate, before Israel was established in 1948. The collections will focus on the past 200 years, covering the Ottoman period, British mandate administration, and the emergence of Israel, which led to the departure of hundreds of Palestinians into diaspora.
In the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem, there are about 30 Palestinian museums, but none of them can match the future museum in size. It will be built near the university in Bir Zeit. The first phase of construction is expected to take two years, cost $15 million (296 million crowns), and involve a building made of rock and stone. It will include a gallery, café, classrooms, and spaces for staff and souvenir vendors.
Several Palestinian officials attended the laying of the foundation stone today. The site is on a grassy hill near the university town of Bir Zeit, offering views of surrounding rocky hills and olive groves. However, access is only via a bumpy road, which does not inspire much confidence among many Palestinians regarding the entire project. Gradually, the site will be developed over an area of 9,000 square meters. The construction will be funded by private contributions with the support of the Palestinian government.
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