Bethlehem

==Culture==
===Embroidery===
{{See also|Palestinian costumes}}
[[File:Bethlehem woman edited.jpg|thumb|right|upright|Woman in traditional Bethlehem costume]]

The women embroiderers of Bethlehem were known for their bridalwear.<ref name="PCA2">{{cite web |title=Palestine costume before 1948: by region |publisher=Palestine Costume Archive |access-date=January 28, 2008 |url=http://www.palestinecostumearchive.org/regional.htm |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20020913101705/http%3A//www%2Epalestinecostumearchive%2Eorg/regional%2Ehtm |archive-date= September 13, 2002}}</ref> Bethlehem embroidery was renowned for its "strong overall effect of colors and metallic brilliance."<ref>{{cite book |last=Stillman |first=Yedida Kalfon |title=Palestinian costume and jewelry |publisher=University of New Mexico Press |year=1979 |location=Albuquerque |pages=46 |isbn=978-0-8263-0490-2}}</ref> Less formal dresses were made of indigo fabric with a sleeveless coat (''bisht'') from locally woven wool worn over top. Dresses for special occasions were made of striped silk with winged sleeves with a short ''taqsireh'' jacket known as the Bethlehem jacket. The taqsireh was made of [[velvet]] or [[broadcloth]], usually with heavy embroidery.<ref name=PCA2/>

Bethlehem work was unique in its use of couched gold or silver cord, or silk cord onto the silk, wool, felt or velvet used for the garment, to create stylized floral patterns with free or rounded lines. This technique was used for "royal" [[wedding dress]]es (''thob malak''), taqsirehs and the ''shatwehs'' worn by married women. It has been traced by some to [[Byzantium]], and by others to the formal costumes of the Ottoman Empire's elite. As a Christian village, local women were also exposed to the detailing on church vestments with their heavy embroidery and silver brocade.<ref name=PCA2/><gallery>
File:Bethlehem Dress (Palestinian Thobe).jpg|Bethlehem traditional dress
File:Chest panel from Bethlehem dress (Palestinian Thobe).jpg|Chest panel from Bethlehem dress
File:Embroidery from Bethlehem Dress (Palestinian Thobe).jpg|Embroidery detail
File:Bethlehem Jacket (taqsireh).jpg|''Taqsireh'' jacket embroidered with Palestinian patterns
File:Le musée des traditions populaires (Amman, Jordanie) (24116263437).jpg|''Shatweh'', a headdresses worn by married women
</gallery>

===Mother-of-pearl carving===
{{main|Mother-of-pearl carving in Bethlehem}}
[[File:Workers in mother-of-pearl2.jpg|thumb|Craftsmen working with [[Mother-of-Pearl carving in Bethlehem|mother-of-pearl]], early 20th century]]

The art of mother-of-pearl carving is said to have been a Bethlehem tradition since the 15th century when it was introduced by [[Franciscan]] [[friar]]s from [[Italy]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.palestine-family.net/index.php?nav=6-207&cid=498&did=2502&pageflip=1 |title=Tourist Products|publisher=Palestine-Family.net |date=January 23, 2007 |access-date=February 18, 2012|url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131206210408/http://www.palestine-family.net/index.php?nav=6-207&cid=498&did=2502&pageflip=1|archive-date=December 6, 2013}}</ref> A constant stream of [[pilgrim]]s generated a demand for these items, which also provided jobs for women.<ref>Weir, pp. 128, 280, n.30</ref> The industry was noted by [[Richard Pococke]], who visited Bethlehem in 1727.<ref>[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_wY4qAAAAMAAJ ''A Description of the East and Some other Countries''], p. 436</ref>

===Cultural centers and museums===
Bethlehem is home to the [[Palestinian Heritage Center]], established in 1991. The center aims to preserve and promote Palestinian embroidery, [[Palestinian art|art]] and folklore.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.palestinianheritagecenter.com/objectives.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071112225031/http://www.palestinianheritagecenter.com/objectives.htm|archive-date=November 12, 2007|title=Palestinian Heritage Center: Objectives}}</ref> The International Center of Bethlehem is another cultural center that concentrates primarily on the culture of Bethlehem. It provides language and guide training, woman's studies and [[Handicraft|arts and crafts]] displays, and training.<ref name="BH"/>
[[File:Inside the PHC.JPG|thumb|Inside of the [[Palestinian Heritage Center]]]]
The Bethlehem branch of [[the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music]] has about 500 students. Its primary goals are to teach children music, train teachers for other schools, sponsor music research, and the study of Palestinian folklore music.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ncm.birzeit.edu/new/page.php?page=branches+ |title=The Edward Said National Conservatory of Music |access-date=January 22, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080214165615/http://ncm.birzeit.edu/new/page.php?page=branches |archive-date=February 14, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Bethlehem has several museums: The Crib of the Nativity Theatre and Museum offers visitors 31 three-dimensional models depicting the significant stages of the life of Jesus. Its theater presents a 20-minute animated show. The [[Badd Giacaman Museum]], located in the Old City of Bethlehem, dates back to the 18th century and is primarily dedicated to the history and process of [[olive oil]] production.<ref name="BH"/> [[Baituna al-Talhami Museum]], established in 1972, contains displays of Bethlehem culture.<ref name="BH"/> The International Museum of Nativity was built by [[UNESCO|United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization]] (UNESCO) to exhibit "high artistic quality in an evocative atmosphere".<ref name="BH"/> The [[Palestine Museum of Natural History]] is the first of its kind and is based on Bethlehem University campus.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Biodiversity and hope flourish at Palestine's first natural history museum |url=https://www.middleeasteye.net/discover/biodiversity-and-hope-flourish-palestines-first-natural-history-museum |access-date=2023-11-04 |website=Middle East Eye |language=en}}</ref>