Doha: Qatar National Library (QNL) has launched the second cycle of its community-driven digital initiative, “Keys to Palestine,” aimed at preserving the lived experiences, cultural heritage, and collective memory of Palestinians.
The launch was marked by an event titled “Keys to Palestine: Memory, Stories, and Documentation,” which brought together community members, content creators, researchers, and media professionals. The gathering celebrated contributions received during the initiative’s first cycle and unveiled the theme of its second phase.
Building on the success of its inaugural edition, the new cycle adopts a multidisciplinary approach to documenting Palestinian memory through photography, filmmaking, oral history, and written storytelling.
The event featured screenings of short films and a photography collection from Palestine produced by students of the Arab American University in Palestine. The works offered compelling insights into contemporary Palestinian narratives and creative expression, highlighting the richness and resilience of Palestinian culture.
A panel discussion followed, bringing together prominent figures from media, academia, and humanitarian advocacy. Participants included documentary filmmaker and producer Bashar Hamdan from Al Jazeera Media Network; Dr. Khaled Al-Hroub, Professor of Middle Eastern Studies and Arab Media at Northwestern University; and Khaoula Bousselam, Senior Producer at AJ+ Arabic. Joining remotely from Palestine was Dr. Hanadi Dweikat, Dean of the Faculty of Modern Media at the Arab American University in Palestine and Chairwoman of the Board of the Filastiniyat Foundation.
The panel explored the role of storytelling in preserving cultural identity and safeguarding collective memory, emphasizing the importance of documenting personal and community experiences through diverse forms of media.
“Qatar National Library believes in the profound power of storytelling to document history and preserve cultural identity,” said Rana Ahmed Alani, Senior Librarian at Qatar National Library. “By supporting and expanding community-driven initiatives like ‘Keys to Palestine,’ we aim to provide a meaningful platform for personal narratives, family memories, and underrepresented voices, ensuring that the diverse stories and rich heritage of the Palestinian people are documented, safeguarded, and shared with future generations.”
The initiative invites participation from Palestinian families in Qatar, across the diaspora, and in Palestine, as well as members of the wider Arab community, students, researchers, content creators, and cultural institutions.
Through “Keys to Palestine,” Qatar National Library continues to advance its mission of protecting cultural heritage and supporting community-led knowledge preservation, ensuring that Palestinian stories remain accessible to future generations.
Source: QNA
