Dundee–Nablus
Twinning Association
رابطة توأمة نابلس دندي
News
Six Day War testimonies from Nablus
It is 50 years since the Six Day War of 1967, the invasion of Nablus and the start of an occupation which continues to this day.
The invasion was a terrifying experience for the people of Nablus. We asked six people to recall their memories of that time - they make very moving and compelling testimonies.
Our booklet with these testimonies is now available online
DNTA Convener's report 2017
A year of action
At our AGM, our Convener, Mike Whitehead, explained our profound disappointment with the refusal of visas for four young visitors from Nablus. But we continue to build friendship and understanding between people in Dundee and Nablus with high expectations for the future.
Between a rock and a hard place
Thursday 18th May 2017
Madigan's Food Emporium
Alex Holmes is a stonemason who spent three months in the Nablus village of Yanoun. He uses his interest in the stone industry to explain the impact of occupation on the people of Nablus.
Event starts 6pm but doors open at 5:30pm so that you can buy tea, coffee and cake.
The event is open to all and free admission.
Lunch for Nablus
Soup and Dessert lunch
We had a very successful event on Thursday 16th March 2017 at Dundee West Church (opposite Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art). There was food, information and a chance to meet other members.
We raised money for our project to give effective help to children in Nablus who suffer from the after-effects of trauma and grief.
Embroidery to raise funds
5 framed pieces
Alister Rutherford has kindly donated five framed origanal hand-embroidered studies. They will raise money for DNTA.
A Just Peace for Palestinians and Israelis?
Sir Vincent Fean
Sir Vincent Fean was British Consul General in Jerusalem for three years. His talk (24th November 2016) on "A Just Peace for Palestinians and Israelis?" explained how we could work for a fair future for all.
Dalhousie Building (University of Dundee).
Being Palestinian
Mohamad Issa
We had an interesting discussion with Mohamad Issa in Madigan's Food Emporium on Thursday 27th October. He spoke about Being Palestinian but living abroad.
Visitors from Nablus
and a Silver Medal
Wonderful to have six visitors to the Lord Provost's Twinning Weekend. They enjoyed a visit to our stand at the Dundee Flower and Food Festival.
Like all visitors to the Festival we encouraged them to see our displays, sample mint tea and taste delicious and genuine Palestinian olive oil and Za'atar. Our stand won a Silver Medal.
Experiences of Nablus
Photos and description
Mary McGregor and Nick Steff spoke at a DNTA meeting about their experience of Nablus as part of a DNTA visit.
Firefighters under Occupation
FBU film
Dundee Fire Brigade Union has taken an appliance and equipment to their colleagues in Nablus. Now they have made a film showing what it means to be a firefighter in Palestine.
Documentary Premiere
DCA cinema, Dundee
Saturday 16th July 2016 at 3pm. Free - donations at door
DNTA Convener's report 2016
A year of action
At our AGM, our Convener, Mike Whitehead, reported on a successful year and prospects for the future.
UN Refugee Day 2016
DNTA Exhibition
Many people were surprised to learn that there are over 50,000 refugees in Nablus. They have been there since the creation of Israel in 1948 when they fled their homes, expecting to go back within a couple of weeks...
Key Embroidery
Most Palestinian refugee families keep as a treasured possession the key to their family home which they left in 1948. Alister Rutherford used this as the main element in an embroidery illustrating some traditional designs from Nablus and Dundee...
Lunch for Nablus
Helping the children of Nablus
Overcoming trauma and grief
Children in Nablus have suffered from years of military occupation. Many of them are traumatised but we can help.
DNTA funded £2,200 to enable Dr Ian Barron (of the University of Dundee) to train schools counsellors in Nablus. They will use these effective techniques to provide practical assistance to the children who are suffering.
On 21st April 2016 we raised money by offering a lunch at the Bridge in Dundee West Church. Dr Barron described the problems faced by the children in Nablus and explained the techniques that can help them.
DNTA in the Press
Dundee Courier covers our Trauma project
January 2016
The Courier has published an article about our project to help children in Nablus who are suffering from trauma and complex grief.
Our Newsletter
Winter 2015
In this edition we thank people who came to our 35th Anniversary celebration, described our project to help children of Nablus to recover from trauma, published a report from Nick Steff who was one of four DNTA members to visit Nablus recently. We have a report on our Words:Walls film event and a description of recent changes to this DNTA Website.
Words:Walls film at DCA
Celebrating 35 years of twinning
We showed this film at DCA to celebrate 35 years of twinning between Dundee and Nablus.
It shows a trip through the West Bank with artists including two of Scottish poetry's leading lights: Liz Lochhead (the Makar) and William Letford.
Visit of Naseer Arafat
Architect and ambassador
We were pleased to welcome to Dundee Naseer Arafat - an internationally respected architect, development and planning specialist.
He delivered a lecture at the University of Dundee. In Dundee City Chambers Naseer met members of DNTA and described life in Nablus under occupation.
We presented a copy of Naseer's impressive book Nablus - City of Civilisations (2012) to the Lord Provost of Dundee, Bob Duncan.
Read moreNablus Avenue - a new street in Dundee
February 2015
We welcome Dundee City Council's decision to name a street in recognition
of the historic links between Dundee and Nablus.
Read more
An introduction to traditional Palestinian embroidery
Our embroidery course attracted 12 keen stitchers.
We explored Palestinian designs and created some ourselves.
Read more
Older news
You can also read about some of our Older news and events
Some of the included items:
- AGM 2015
- Convener's report 2015
- Palestinian literary festival 2015
- Embroidery project 2014
About DNTA
Welcome to the Dundee-Nablus Twinning Association
We encourage friendship and understanding between
the people of Nablus and the people of Dundee.
We welcome members who share our objectives.
So for enquiries, to leave comments about the website, or to join the
Association, please email our secretary, Jane Barron:
secretary@dundee-nablus.org.uk
Current projects
Schools twinning
As part of the studies of Global Citizenship, pupils in Dundee are making contact with pupils in Nablus. They will be able to discuss their lives in their different cities, their favourite activities and their hopes.
Child Trauma Recovery - Nablus
Our project is training school counsellors in Nablus to deliver effective relief for trauma. They will be using the acclaimed manual on complex grief and trauma developed by the Children and War Foundation of Norway. Training will be delivered by Dr Ian Barron of the University of Dundee through the Palestinian Centre for Applied Research in Education (CARE). We are appealing for funding for this project.
Our films about the people of Nablus shows the city and lets you hear about their lives in their own words. Making this film celebrated 33 years of twinning between Dundee and Nablus.
Nablus our Twin City
A portrait of Nablus with comments from many of its citizens.
Nablus our Twin City Schools Edition
This shorter version was prepared for use in schools.
Dundee our Twin City
Reflections on Dundee & Nablus from two Palestinian young men: Rami Issa and Rafiq Zein Eddin.
Join us
If you share our objectives we would love to have you as a member.
Contact our Membership Secretary
or fill in our Membership Form
Speakers
We provide speakers for local community groups. Several topics and formats available.
Friendship and Understanding
We promote friendship and understanding between the people of Nablus and the people of Dundee.
FONSA
Friends of Nablus and Surrounding Areas
A Scottish charity which supports Palestinians in and around Nablus.
FONSA