Artist Talk
Baha HiloOctober 14, 2022, 16:00
Baha discussed his current project at Dar Jacir on our olive terrace and the significance of olive trees historically and within society today, covering four broad themes – culture, economics, religion, and politics. Also, he considered the importance of the olive tree as a symbol of resistance and steadfastness, or Sumud for Palestinians. The talk served as an introduction to the Olive Harvest at Dar Jacir. The following day (15th October), everyone was invited to join us in harvesting our olives. Afterwards Baha led us in preserving and pickling them and making olive oil.
Baha Hilo was born and raised in the town of Bethlehem, and a graduate of Birzeit University with a degree in Sociology. He worked with different humanitarian, human rights and advocacy groups including the UN, the Joint Advocacy Initiative of the YMCA & YWCA and Badil Centre for residency and refugees rights, his work experience also included working with the National council of the YMCAs in Sri Lanka and Silver Bay association in NY. Since 2013 he has been focused on education on Palestine through an initiative called “To Be There” where he coordinates the different educational visits, including the annual Olive Harvest, Olive Planting, Palestinian Land Day, summer study programs, and Christmas in Palestine. As an educator on Palestine, Mr Hilo has been working on explaining a so called complicated reality imposed upon the Palestinian people by the state of Israel, in an easy to understand way. Baha also serves as an activities coordinator at The Citadel.
Revolutionary Letter #7 curated by Emily Jacir, as part of Common Ground: an international festival on the politics of land and food, supported by the OSUN Center for Human Rights and the Arts at Bard College and the Fisher Center LAB.