Students Lead Interactive Drama on Palestinian Identity

The Arabic Language Department in partnership with the Faculty of Education at Bethlehem University organized an extracurricular activity an interactive drama performance titled “The Narrative of Palestine and the Identity of Palestinian Literature.” The event was held at Al-Awda School in Bethlehem and targeted tenth-grade female students.

Students enrolled in the Palestinian Literature course performed a compelling interactive drama in which they embodied the personas of renowned Palestinian authors and poets. Using multimedia and video, the students highlighted the life stories and cultural contributions of these literary figures, emphasizing their role in preserving the Palestinian narrative and identity.

Coordinated and presented by student Wijdan Suleiman, the drama unfolded in four acts:

• Act One, featured poet Tawfiq Ziad, highlighting his literary identity and his role in strengthening awareness of cultural resistance.
• Act Two, presented by student Nuhail Ziyada, focused on Abdul Rahim Mahmoud, the martyred poet whose works continue to inspire national pride.
• Act Three, was a dramatic dialogue between Ghassan Kanafani and Ghada Al-Samman, brought to life by students Joyce Haddad and Noor Salameh, capturing the voices of exile and resilience.
• Act Four, presented by student Mais Salem, spotlighted pioneering Palestinian writer Samira Azzam, known for her contributions to modern Arabic short stories.

The event fostered meaningful dialogue and engagement between the university students and the school community, creating an inspiring atmosphere that deepened appreciation for Palestinian literature and identity. Ms. Suha Awad, Principal of Al-Awda School, praised the initiative as a successful cultural partnership that brought together students from higher and secondary education in a shared exploration of national heritage.