Widad Kamel Kawar
Preserved Palestinian textile heritage through collection and global exhibitions.
Date of Birth:
1931
Tulkarem, in the Nablus area of the West Bank, Palestine
Place of Birth:
Why Featured?
Widad Kawar is revered for her lifelong commitment to preserving Palestinian cultural heritage, especially traditional costumes and embroidery. Her efforts have been recognized globally, shedding light on the rich tapestry of Palestinian history and identity through textiles.
Brief bio
Widad Kawar is a leading figure in the preservation of Palestinian culture, known for her extensive collection of traditional Arabic dresses and textiles. Her work highlights the intricate beauty of Palestinian embroidery and costumes, connecting them to the broader narrative of Palestinian history and identity.
Major Milestones
Contributions
Moving to Amman and beginning her collection journey
Publishing "Threads of Identity: Preserving Palestinian Culture and Heritage" in 2011.
Receiving the Prince Klaus International Award for Culture and Development in 2012.
Awarded the Directorate of Heritage Award by the Government of Sharjah in 2014.
Publication of "Seventeen Embroidery Techniques from Palestine: An Instruction Manual" in 2019.
Founding The Widad Kawar Collection, an extensive archive of Arab textiles...See More
Advocating for the preservation and modernization of Arabic dress...See More
Mentoring writers, journalists, researchers, and museums...See More
Publishing several books and articles on Palestinian embroidery and cultural heritage.
Organizing exhibitions worldwide to showcase Palestinian textile art.
Date of Last Update:
September 3, 2024
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