First TYO Exhibit Opens at the NCM's Launch Zone

On Saturday, January 25th TYO’s first exhibit at the Launch Zone of the National Children’s Museum opened to a crowd of nearly 300 people. The exhibit featured images and narratives highlighting the children of Nablus and their thoughts and feelings on traditional Palestinian food. “The exhibit itself is a fantastic anchor for all that happens in the Launch Zone and between the communities in the DC area and those in Nablus. I had a great time at the celebration and it was really good to see so many kids and families deeply engaged in the experience,” said NCM Director of Partnerships Mark Wright. The exhibit also included several hands-on activities such as writing a postcard to the children of TYO, learning about the spices used in Nablus, and learning to spell your name in Arabic with the help of three volunteers from The Center for Contemporary Arab Studies at Georgetown University. Throughout the celebration, visitors were encouraged to sample an array of Palestinian foods like grape leaves and manakish. and they enjoyed performances by George Mason University’s Dabkeh Dance Troupe! Mickey Bergman, Director of the US-Palestinian Partnership at the Aspen Institute really enjoyed the interactive aspect of the exhibit. He said, “It is a great way to engage the kids in fun activities while exposing them and familiarizing them with elements of a culture they would otherwise feel foreign towards.” Here in Nablus, we are thrilled that those of you in DC were able to experience a taste of our lives. We look forward to continuing to bridge the gap bring Nablus and the DC area through engaging and interactive art exhibits thanks to our partnership with the NCM.