Launching on June 11th, 2024, at 6:30 PM at Darat al Funun – The Khalid Shoman Foundation, the exhibition Resurgent Nahda: The Arab Exhibitions in Mandate Jerusalem pays homage to the two Arab exhibitions organized in Mandate Jerusalem in 1933 and 1934. These exhibitions took place when several Arab countries were at the height of their struggle against colonialism. In Palestine, the timing was especially critical, occurring between the major Palestinian revolts of 1929 and 1936, amid intense confrontations with Zionists and the British. Despite colonial pressures, these exhibitions showcased a remarkable Nahda in the economic, industrial, and artistic sectors, facilitating Palestinian-Arab exchange and underscoring Arab unity amidst the region’s geopolitical division after World War I.
This research-based exhibition brings together materials sourced from dispersed archives and collections, breathing a new life into the legacy of the 1930s exhibitions. It tells the story of this pivotal moment of regional exchange through three primary lenses: the political landscape of Mandate Palestine, artistic and artisanal contributions, and the architectural legacy of the Palace Hotel they were held in. Featured pieces include works by Rushdi al-Imam al-Husseini, Abdul Qadir Al Rassam, Zulfa al-Saadi, Yousef al-Zughbi, Jamal Badran, Sophie Halaby, Khalil Halaby, Nijmeh Kharoufeh, David Ohanessian, Nicola Saig, Fathi Safwat, Jawad Salim, Lorna Salim, Mary Salman, Jamila Salman.
Resurgent Nahda: The Arab Exhibitions in Mandate Jerusalem is curated by Nadi Abusaada and will run until September 30th. As part of the exhibition’s public program, Darat al Funun will organize a guided tour with the curator on Saturday, June 15th, at 6:30 PM. The tour will explore the works, themes, historical contexts, and archival materials presented in the exhibition, as well as the curatorial process of selecting and presenting these artworks and archival materials within both the historical and artistic realms.
Press release from Darat Al Funun
Image: Opening of the Second Arab Exhibition in Jerusalem, 1934. Said Husseini Collection, Palestinian Museum Digital Archive
