Saturday, April 18, 2015
Artas, a beautiful village just south of Bethlehem near Solomon’s Pools, is famous for its fertile valley where an abundance of lettuce is planted. The friendly people of the village would like to share with you the joy of the lettuce harvest. The annual Lettuce Festival, organized by the Artas Folklore Centre since its debut back in 1994, brings locals and visitors together in a joyful festival that celebrates and honors the eternal Palestinian peasant. This year, the festival is also generously supported by Solomon Pools Resort Company.
The 21st Artas Lettuce Festival, which will take place on Saturday, April 18, will be a “moving festival” that will feature a short hike through the Artas Valley with a special cultural and culinary program. The festival is truly an experience as you get the chance to interact with the living stones of this ancient land and experience the hospitality and culture of Palestinians in real life.
This family-friendly event will start next to Solomon’s Pools with a morning Arabic coffee and a cultural program of traditional Palestinian song and dance. After that, participants will have a chance to visit the Murad Castle Museum to see a collection of precious artifacts that represent many chapters of Palestinian history. The walk will continue along Solomon’s Pools and then through the village, with a stop at the Artas Folklore Center. On the way, it will be possible to pick a fresh head of lettuce from the field! The final destination is the Convent of Hortus Conclusus, a famous landmark in Palestine that is believed to be built on the site of King Solomon’s Gardens (Song of Solomon 4:12–13). Local women will be waiting there with a lunch of Palestinian delicacies.
To learn more about Artas, visit Palestine-Family.net and type “Artas” into the search box.
For reservations, the detailed program of the festival, and directions to Artas Village, contact VisitPalestine Information Point in Bethlehem (www.visitpalestine.ps) at info@visitpalestine.ps, or call 02-277-1992.
Located at a crossroads of ecosystems and civilizations, this lovely village just to the south of Bethlehem is particularly rich in archeological remains and steeped in traditions and folklore of successive civilizations. Come follow in the footsteps of the legendary men and women who have been drawn to Artas, making it one of the best documented villages in Palestine.