Final plans for Ambassador's visit to Bristol

A central-Bristol venue, the ARC on Broad Street, is being transformed into a “Palestinian Embassy”. Spread across three floors it will include a café serving Palestinian food, a cinema showing Palestinian films, and a gallery showing a major exhibition of Palestinian history, culture and solidarity.

The day-long conference will include talks and workshops on Palestine provided by local and national solidarity activists. It will also include contributors via a live video link from Gaza, West Bank, and from around the world.

People in Gaza have hired a hall to hold a conference in parallel with the one in Bristol, linked by Skype. On Saturday 15th June the frontage of the ARC on 27 Broad Street, Bristol BS1 2HG  will be draped with a giant Palestine flag. The Ambassador and Mayor will arrive at about 11.00am, they will tour the building and visit the Exhibition where they will make opening speeches at approximately 11.20. There will be also be a photo-opportunity at the entrance of the building with the Mayor and Ambassador as the Mayor leaves at about 11.45am. The Ambassador will stay at the event until early afternoon and will be available for further interview.

The Exhibition will consist of the following:-

A major exhibition about the “Nakba” on loan from the Palestine Return Centre in London

A display of Palestinian crafts and embroidery

A photographic exhibition of the history of Palestine under the Ottomans, the British, and the present.

Photographic displays by recent visitors to Palestine including Circus-2-Palestine, Olive Planters & Harvesters, together with local solidarity campaigns

The exhibition will includes examples of famous cartoons linked with Palestine including Handala and Banksy, together with paintings by local artists.

This will be the largest exhibition on Palestine in Bristol todate.

The day-long conference will include talks and workshops on two main areas:-

The history and geography and the current situation in Palestine.

Building solidarity links locally in Bristol, nationally, and internationally.

Speakers will include local and national activists who have visited both the West Bank & Gaza building strong links with the Palestinian people.

In addition there will be a live video link to people in Gaza and the West Bank including speakers who have played a major part in social justice struggles for Palestinian rights.

The conference will be chaired by Soraya Boyd CEO - Founder Facilitate Global www.facilitateglobal.org

Entry is free - Everyone welcome

Eddie, who runs the ARC on Broad Street, says 

“Our corner of central Bristol is taking on a special Palestinian theme. We’ve got Palestinian food, Palestinian films, Palestinian music, even tomato plants grown from imported Palestinian seeds. And our building is topped out with the biggest Palestinian flag in the South-West of Britain!”

Rita, who is the conference organiser, says 

“This will be the biggest Palestine exhibition in Bristol so far. It's been hard work but it will be worth it. This will be an exciting opportunity for Bristol people to learn more about Palestinian history, culture and struggle.  I hope this will inspire people to link up. We’re show-casing a lot of new projects that people can get involved in.