|
press
clips
|
|
||||
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|||||
press
clips
summer academy
currently on
workshops
activities archive
February,
2002
Arab
College Immortalised In Photo Exhibition
By
Hada Sarhan
LEBANESE
WRITER Ghada Samman once said "photographs are attempts to
capture a fleeting moment".
'The Arab College of Jerusalem in Pictures', a display of
42 photographs taken by several individuals trying to immortalise
mementoes, depicts many momentousevents of the college students
and teachers. The exhibition shows photographs taken in the
1930 of the Arab College, documenting its achievements over
a period extending till 1948.
"The exhibition aims to bridge the gap of over half a century
to reach a new generation that was not around its development
and effectiveness," said Walid Khalidi, a member in the Arab
College committee. Among the assemblage are captivating photos
of students that "show the tightly woven fabric of the student-teacher
relationship", according to Khalidi.
Most of the photos are black and white. According to art critic
Mazen Asfour, black and white photos affect viewers more than
coloured photos because "they make us feel the depth of history".
One photo shows students in their college uniform, consisting
of a green jackets with the motto of the college on its left
side pocket, and grey wool pants, a white shirt and green
tie. Among the college students are three late novelists Munes
Razzaz, Adeeb Abasi and Jabra Ibrahim Jabra. The Arab College
was established in 1918 as a teachers' college with the aim
of preparing elementary school teachers.
During the British Mandate in Palestine (1918-1948), the college
had a group of out-standing students who were selected for
their intellectual and academic abilities, in 1919, the college
was administered by Khalil Al Sakakini who soon resigned to
protest the British appointment of the Jewish Herbert Samuel
as high commissioner of Palestine. In place of Sakakini was
Khalil Totuh, who was the college's headmaster until 1925.
He too resigned, following protests by administrators, teachers
and students against the visit of Arthur James Balfour, Britain's
then prime minister. Ahmed Al Khalidi ran then the affairs
of the college until the end of the mandate in 1948.
Officially, the college used to charge eight Palestinian pounds
per semester, or twenty-four pounds per year. But in practice,
waiver of tuition was the rule because the majority of the
students distinguished themselves academically or were poor.
From its inception until 1934, the college was in rented buildings
in the neighborhood of Bab Al Sahira, in Jerusalem. Then it
moved to its new location, on Jabal Al Mukaber (also in Jerusalem).
Next to it stood the place of the British high commissioner
and an agricultural school for Jewish girls. The College was
separated from the Jewish neighborhood of Talpiyot by an open
field with a golf course.
The photo exhibition opened on Feb. 14 at Darat Al Funun.
press
clips
summer academy
currently
on
workshops
activities
archive
