In mid-October, the Star Mountain Rehabilitation Center near Ramallah, Palestine, celebrated Heritage Day with joy and pride. The event brought together kindergarten children, special needs students, and young people from the vocational training program to honor their national traditions and cultural identity.
Participants wore traditional Palestinian clothing, sang beloved folk songs, and danced together—expressing their deep love for their cultural heritage. Teachers and students also enjoyed sampling traditional foods such as manakeesh (a type of Arabic flatbread with herbs or cheese) and other local specialties, creating an atmosphere of fun, learning, and community.
Reflecting on the importance of the day, the Center’s director shared:
“Culture gives us a sense of belonging, and we need that as people. It is a natural inner need to know one’s country, one’s people, and one’s cultural customs. It makes us feel safe and reminds us that we are part of something larger—we are not lost in space.”
Through events like this, Star Mountain continues to nurture a sense of identity and connection among its students, helping to preserve Palestinian heritage and pass it on to the next generation.
