2010 Holiday Festivities in Beit Sahour

YMCA Sports and Community Center Children's Party

The YMCA Sports and Community Center of Beit Sahour held a pre-Christmas party for children from all over the Bethlehem Governorate. The children were invited to participate in a play, swim and enjoy the Christmas season actively.

Great Joy Celebration

Christmas festivities in the city of Beit Sahour were kicked off with the Great Joy Celebration of 2010 hosted and managed by Beit Sahour Municipality on December 18, 2010.

Living up to expectation, thousands of locals and internationals participated in the Peace Procession and Lighting of the Christmas Tree. The procession was led by all the Beit Sahour Scouts Troupes and the tree was lit by none other than His Excellency, Prime Minister Dr. Salaam Fayyad.

Notable guests included His Beatitude Patriarch Fuad Twal, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Dr. Khouloud Diabis, and the Governor of Bethlehem, Mr. Abdalfatah Hamayil.

The international VIP guest list included many heads of missions such as the European Commission Technical Assistance Office, Pontifical Mission of Palestine, World Vision, CHF and ANERA, as well as consul generals and special representatives to the Palestinian Authority.

Representatives from the US Consulate in Jerusalem and from USAID were also present, as the event was funded by USAID through the Civil Engagement Program (CEP).

Video: Christmas Treee click here

Great Joy Market

The Great Joy Market was held from December 18-21 and was hosted by the Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church at their sports facility. The market was opened by none other than His Excellency the Prime Minister, Dr. Salaam Fayyad and included a variety of goods and products for the holidays and everyday.

Shepherds' Nights Festival

Three days of artistic, musical and cultural performances, known as the Shepherds' Nights Festival, were held from December 23-25. The festival program was put together and managed by four local organizations: the Palestinian Center for Rapprochement, Siraj, the Joint Advocacy Initiative, and the East Jerusalem YMCA-Beit Sahour Branch; the cooperation was dubbed the "Shepherds' Nights Festival Family".

The first evening included Arabic and English singing performances by Palestinian artists Rim Banna and Sheibat.

During the second day, Roni Rock entertained children with the second evening featured an Italian wind and brass ensemble called Elkom, led by founder and composer Professor Emanuele Pasqualin and carols from our very own Shepherds' Band who also performed at the Great Joy Celebration.

The final day celebrated the 20th Annual Candle Procession from the Greek Orthodox Shepherds' Fields to the festival location (Greek Catholic Patriarchal School); thousands of locals and internationals participated in "Lighting a Candle for the Establishment of a Palestinian State".

The procession was followed by "Dances for Freedom", a singing and dancing series presented by El Funoun Al Sha’biyeh.

The closing performance included a multitude of artistic presentations by Spanish pop singer, Ms Cristina del Valle, and her entourage of poets, rappers, singers, musicians and performers.

Over all three days and nights, the Shepherds' Market sold a plethora of locally made products and foods.

Holiday Basketball Tournament

The Arab Orthodox Cultural Club kicked off the opening night of the Holiday Basketball Tournaments at Catholic Action in Bethlehem on Monday, December 27, 2010. Two playoffs will be held each night until January 4, 2011, at which time the top teams will be awarded. The tournament involves all the clubs' basketball teams in the West Bank area.

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