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Portrait of Widad Kamel Kawar

Widad Kamel Kawar

Preserved Palestinian textile heritage through collection and global exhibitions.

Born
1931
Born in
Tulkarem, in the Nablus area of the West Bank, Palestine
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Why Widad is here

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.

Their story

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.

In pictures

Milestones

The moments that shaped Widad’s path.

  1. Moving to Amman and beginning her collection journey.

  2. Publishing "Threads of Identity

    Preserving Palestinian Culture and Heritage" in 2011.

  3. Receiving the Prince Klaus International Award for Culture and Development in 2012.

  4. Awarded the Directorate of Heritage Award by the Government of Sharjah in 2014.

  5. Publication of "Seventeen Embroidery Techniques from Palestine: An Instruction Manual" in 2019.

Legacy

What they built, changed and left behind.

  1. Founding The Widad Kawar Collection, an extensive archive of Arab textiles.

  2. Advocating for the preservation and modernization of Arabic dress.

  3. Mentoring writers, journalists, researchers, and museums.

  4. Publishing several books and articles on Palestinian embroidery and cultural heritage.

  5. Organizing exhibitions worldwide to showcase Palestinian textile art.

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