A delegation of students from An-Najah National University came back home after participating in the cultural exchange program for students that was heading to Stavanger in Norway. Representatives of Gern Institute for Folktale studies received the delegation upon arrival and hosted them in the institute.

The team included nine students representing a number of the University faculties. Students gave a slideshow presentation about different topics that would show Norwegian people the social, political, cultural and living conditions of Palestinian people under the Israeli occupation. Amongst the presented topics were the life in Palestinian refugee camps, diversity of the Palestinian society, nuances of Palestinian’s daily life, folk costumes in relation to identity, folk songs, and Palestinian heritage manifested in handicrafts. Also, the team presented the role Palestinian youth plays in facing the negative effects of and challenges imposed by the apartheid wall, and the role of Palestinian communication in resisting the Israeli hegemony.  These shows were met by a considerable interaction on the part of Norwegian people; hence questions were posed and discussions were held for exchanging points of view.

Upon concluding the visit, students  performed the folklore dancing known as “Dabbkah”,  as well as singing while playing the lute.  On their part, Norwegian students  made shows through which they introduced Norwegian life at all levels of culture, society,  and sports.

The head of the institute , who is a professional musician, played the Palestinian anthem, and translated the lyrics into Norwegian Language for the Norwegian choral of the institute to sing it along with the Palestinian students in front of a standing audience. They were all invited after that to dinner upon concluding the program.

Along these performances and shows, the administration of the institution  arranged a number of activities which included a visit to Stavanger University in which the delegation attended a dramatic show about one of the family problems in Norway, i.e. “discrimination among siblings”. Next the delegation visited the students’ services department at the university, and were hosted by the social specialist who gave a presentation about the services the department offers. What is interesting about the department is that it is run  by a private company rather than by the university’s administration, and consequently, the department personnel receive their salaries from the company. Also, the delegation went on a cruise to Florly lake and visited a power station.

The visit also included a number of domestic trips in which students were introduced to the customs and traditions of the Norwegian people.

Ms. Fatin Abu Zaror, head of the delegation, said that the participation of students in this visit to Norway  on one hand, has quite an effect in expanding the number of sympathizers with the Palestinian cause as it contributes to showing the real circumstances of Palestinians’ life, the truth the Israeli occupation tries hard to hide through electronic websites as well as media. On the other hand, this experience equips the Palestinian student with the necessary knowledge of how to communicate and accept the Other, and it shapes his/her experience in defending his/her cause in addition to the fact that it enhances his/her  sense of identity.