Help the Children

Festivals 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003

REMEMBER the INNOCENTS 2001 On the 28th of December 2001, over five thousand Palestinian children gathered with their families in Manger Square Bethlehem to participate in the third annual Remember the Innocents Children’s Festival. The 28th of December is historically recognized as the day when over 2000 years ago King Herod fearing that the new born Prince of Peace would put an end to his tyrannical reign, ordered the killing of all male children under two years of age in Bethlehem. Since 1999, Holy Land Trust has conducted this festival in order to remind the world that two thousand years later, innocent children continue to suffer not only in Bethlehem and Palestine, but also all over the world. The festival for this year focused on having the children of Palestine, with all the suffering they face on a daily basis, which includes closures, shelling, and arrests, become a voice for the millions of voiceless children around the world that are on a daily bases suffering from war, oppression, starvation, abuse and neglect. Banners of drawing made by the children of Palestine were hung on the buildings surrounding Manger Square in Bethlehem. Each banner was dedicated to a particular country or issue where children are suffering. The four-hour festival included many events and activities for children. Local Palestinian and international artists, theatrical groups, and singers brought joy to the children through the different acts and performances. As a gift, Holy Land Trust presented each child with a cassette tape of songs produced by the organization specifically for this event. The cover of the tape depicts a drawing of Palestinian child handing a child of the world –trapped in a prison-- a red flower known in Palestine as the “Hannoun” which symbolizes freedom, hope, peace, and goodwill. Holy Land Trust would like to thank the sponsors and participants in the event and also give a special thanks to a foundation in Seattle Washington that has given a generous donation to Reem El-Bana, a popular Palestinian singer who participated in the festival, to conduct several children concerts throughout the Palestinian territories. Continue praying and working for the forgotten innocent victims of war, conflict and oppression – the children of the World. 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003