Photos Exhibition- Nazareth 2006

"Or" International Contest for Photography in Nazareth

Nazareth-When the past, present and future encounter

During the last two months, an international photography contest was held. The subject of contest concentrated on positioning the city of Nazareth on the headlines "Nazareth where the present and future encounter". The contest was held by the "Nazareth Yazamoot" company.

Agam Mehalev company (the implementer of Mehalev program in the region of Nazareth) took upon herself the responsibility of organizing the photos exhibition in number of sites in the old city market, where parts of these sites were especially renovated in honor of the exhibition.

In addition, Agam Mehalev took upon herself the responsibility of training persons among the participants of the Mehalev program to be hired as explainers during the exhibition. The training period lasted for two months and included learning materials about photography, tourism, history and a wide variety of topics.

Objectives of the Photos Contest:

  • Raising the public, local and international awareness about the city of Nazareth as the symbol of co-existence and peace and as the city that joins the three religions.
  • The exposure of the cultural, social and historical values of Nazareth.
  • An activity to raise the tourism and get to know the treasures and the artistic sites of the old city of Nazareth.

Objectives of the Photos Exhibition:

  • Encouraging tourism in the old city market.
  • Encouraging the local population to visit the old city market.
  • Exposing the different sites that exist in the old city market.
  • Providing opportunities for the residents of the city to participate in activities to promote their city and themselves

Categories of Photography

  • Sacred places
  • Public buildings
  • Renovated buildings
  • Pre-renovated buildings
  • Handicrafts owners
  • Building with special stories
  • Special human sceneries for the city of Nazareth
  • Hidden statues and parks

Many photographers approached the contest and presented about 1000 photos of the city of Nazareth according to the regulations of the contest.

200 photos were selected by a team of judges for the final candidacy. The team of judges included: Mr. Ramez Garaisy- the mayor of Nazareth, Mr. Yoel Shtroug, Mr. Imad Salaymeh, Mr. Ra'fat Zrieq, Mr. Waleed Afify, Ms. Tirza Bar Chaim and Ms. Yael Nizan

Presentation of the Photos:

There is no doubt that the photos selected tell a lot about the city of Nazareth during the views and colors. Even the places that will be used to present the photos will tell the story of the place.

The selected photos will be presented in seven galleries in the old city market. Following are the details of each gallery and few words about it:

  • Al-Mehbaj: In the past, this place used as school (Al- Jereina). The place belong to the Protestants group. Today the place is used by the Al-Mehbaj non-profit organization for arts and creation and that hires a number of artists and musicians.
  • Al-Sebaat: Or as they call it: the Folklore House, is one of the ancient houses of Nazareth. A part of its value belongs to one of the wealthy and affluent families – Kawar family.

200 years ago, this place was inhabited by the first mayor of Nazareth Tanous

Kawar between the years 1875-1886.

The folklore house was established to reserve the way of life in the past century by presenting the different tools used at that time.

  • Dewan El-Lajoun: The multi-cultural center for stage arts. The theatre is a meeting place and joint activities through arts. It is located in the old city market in a building decorated with lots of bows and heavy stones that tell the stories of other periods, other cultures and periods of peace and war.
  • The Pharmacy: this pharmacy is considered one of the eldest in Nazareth. In this pharmacy medicines were made up. Today, the place is closed. The Sebat association hired the place to be used for its different activities to reserve the culture.
  • Al-Babor: the eldest spices factory of Nazareth, was built on 1905 at the end of the Ottoman period by Kanaze' Jarjoura. After he passed away, the factory was inherited to his son who also inherited the business to his two sons who still run the place till today. The factory served and still serving till today the residents of Nazareth and the surrounding areas. The word Al-Babor means the machine that operates as a result of burning woods. This type of machine were used at that time. The factory is surrounded by sacred places for Muslims and Christians.
  • Fauzi Azar: An Arabic rich people house aged 200 years that is located at the heart of the old city of Nazareth. This special house enables you to experience the luxurious culture and the lifestyle of the Galile rich people. The house includes hand decorated ceiling, a central beautiful hall that observes the Church of Annunciation and to an internal beautiful yard with bows made of stones.
  • Al-Saraya (the central gallery): This Saraya (palace) was built on 1799 and was used by the governor of Nazareth – Abas, the son of Daher Omar (the establisher on new Palestine). The Saraya was used by this dynasty for a long period of time. As time passed, number of houses were built around the Saraya. Today, part of the Saraya is used as a museum and a center for heritage and arts. Another part is used as a restaurant and coffee shop

(The distribution of the gallery can be viewed through the old market map)

Appointed times of the photos exhibition:

The exhibition will be opened in the date: 17/07/2006

Monday-Saturday, between the hours: 9:00-17:00

For clarifications, call: 04-6026555

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