Malta Independent Online, Malta
Olive wood carving from Malta and Palestine concluded a project based on the sense of touch, as part of the five senses project marking the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue in Malta.
Ashraf Jaraiseh, an expert wood carver from Palestine, and Maltese sculptor Savio Deguara exchanged their craft and demonstrated their art in the Vittoriosa and Valletta open-air markets. This unusual sight of artisans at work in the market attracted a sizeable crowd who also had the opportunity of learning more about fair trade and intercultural dialogue.
Olive wood was the chosen material by Ashraf, who is a member of the Fair Trade Cooperative ‘Holy Land’ based in the town of Beit Sahour, a few kilometres away from Bethlehem. The cooperative also works closely with Koperattiva Kummerc Gust, in Malta, who were partners in the project.
Side by side with Ashraf was sculptor Deguara, who worked on a carving of the Crucifixion of Christ. This sculpture was a work in progress, which Deguara had already begun some time before and was continuing during this event.
The 2008 European Year of Intercultural Dialogue is an initiative of the European Union with co-funding from the Education, Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry. St James Cavalier Centre for Creativity is the National Coordinating Body for the year with Atelier Culture Projects acting as project coordinators and Media Consulta, media partners for the campaign.
For further information visit www.dialogue2008.eu or www.sjcav.org.