Resurgent Nahda: The Arab Exhibitions in Mandate Jerusalem (Kaph Books, 2024), edited by Nadi Abusaada, is based on Abusaada’s research into the history and impact of the Arab exhibitions held in Mandate Jerusalem (1933-1934). Initiated in 2017, the research has evolved into a series of  installations, and exhibitions across several cities, including Ramallah, Dubai, Montreal, and Amman at Darat al Funun (June 2024 to October 2024).

This discussion will explore the motivations behind this research and its key insights. The discussion will be in Arabic. To register, please fill in the form here. 

The book is divided into two sections: the first offers essays by various scholars examining the artistic, cultural, and political significance of these Jerusalem exhibitions within the broader interwar Arab context. This section also includes an interview with artist Samira Badran, reflecting on the legacy of her late father, Jamal Badran. The second section gathers rare primary materials from international archives and private collections, laying a foundation for future research into the Jerusalem exhibitions and their impact on Palestinian and Arab historical narratives.

Dr. Nadi Abusaada is a Jerusalem-born architect and historian. He is currently a Visiting Professor at the School of Architecture and Design at the American University of Beirut (AUB). Nadi holds a PhD in architecture from the University of Cambridge and has previously taught at MIT and ETH Zürich. He has also curated and participated in a number of exhibitions around the world including Ramallah, Amman, Zurich, Venice, Dubai, and Montreal.