Translated by Sabrin Qadah 

Raed Anabtawi, Project Manager in "PECDAR" and Mr. Amer Khalil, director of al-Hakawati Theater

RAMALLAH- Palestinian Economic Council for Development and Reconstruction "PECDAR" and the Palestinian "Hakawati" National Theatre signed an agreement of 150 thousand dollars for the implementation of the renovation project of the theater hall, updating the technical tools as well as supporting some special artistic activities for children through schools of Jerusalem.

The agreement is considered one of other 15 separate agreements for projects and programs that target Jerusalem with funding from the Islamic Development Bank with a total value of $6 million to support a variety of sectors, including education, building restoration sector, the empowerment of women, youth and sports, as well as cultural and social sector.

The President of "PECDAR" D. Mohammed Shtayyeh stressed on the importance of supporting cultural institutions in Jerusalem that the occupation is trying to Judaize and change their Arab identity. He also noted that the agreements come as part of a strategic plan to enhance the steadfastness of the citizens of Jerusalem in the face of the challenges imposed by the occupation.

While the director of the Palestinian National Theatre "al-hakawati" Amer Khalil, said that the project came after the financial crisis experienced by the theater during the last five years, and added that this project will give an important boost to the theater to continue its activities in Jerusalem.

The project aims to strengthen the infrastructure of the theater, including restoration of parts of the building and the purchase of lighting equipment and sound consumed during the past years to enable the theater to offer its services, along with funding for artistic and cultural activities that promote Palestinian identity and target several categories, most important school students in Jerusalem.

Al-Hakawati Theater is located in East Jerusalem, which is a historic building built in 1950 and was the first movie theater in the city of Jerusalem. After closing it for several years, it was re-opened in 1984. The theatre produces many businesses that seek to preserve the cultural and the Palestinian theatrical life.