Note to Correspondents

United Nations HOSTS Joint ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN ART EXHIBITION

An exhibition entitled “Offering Reconciliation” opens with a formal ceremony and reception in the North-East Gallery of the General Assembly Visitors’ Lobby at 6 p.m. on Thursday, 20 September.

The show features 135 ceramic plates created by prominent Israeli and Palestinian painters, sculptors, designers and photographers who have come together for the first time in an historic art exhibition.  Each artist was given an identical ceramic bowl -- a blank palette to serve as the common denominator through which individual expressions and messages would be depicted.  Participating artists include Hanan Abu Hussein, Mohammad Said Kalash, Dani Karavan and Aliza Olmert.

Opening the exhibit is Anders Lidén, Permanent Representative of Sweden to the United Nations.  A presentation will also be made by Parents Circle – Families Forum members Robi Damelin, an Israeli mother, whose son David was killed by a Palestinian sniper, and Ali Abu Awwad, a Palestinian whose brother was shot and killed by an Israeli soldier.

The exhibit was conceived and organized by The Parents Circle – Bereaved Families Forum for Peace, Reconciliation and Tolerance.  The organization is home for hundreds of bereaved Israeli and Palestinian families who have chosen a path of reconciliation rather than revenge.  Also co-sponsoring this unique exhibition is the Permanent Mission of Sweden to the United Nations.  The United States tour of the exhibit is made possible by the Association of Israel’s Decorative Arts (AIDA), with contributions from former World Bank President James Wolfensohn.

For more information on United Nations exhibitions, call Jan Arnesen at tel.:  212 963 8531 or Liza Wichmann at tel.:  212 963 0089.

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For information media • not an official record