These are snapshots from the booklet Bethlehem: from Golden Threads to Cement Blocks recently designed by my partner at SYNTAX Salua Qidan for Mrs Widad Kawar, the renowned collector of Arab heritage. The booklet weaves together the threads of history, heritage and the current depressing reality in a compact package.

Check out ArabHeritage.org:

Widad Kawar is internationally known for her work to research, collect and preserve traditional Arab handwork. She with affection and passion has sought to encourage a cultural understanding of the Arab ethnic identity and to preserve its rich heritage with her documented collection.

Widad has collected folkart for the last 45 years beginning with articles from Palestine and then also from Jordan. She has amassed an extensive collection to preserve a culture that has been dispersed by wars and conflict.