The Bigger Picture 

As Palestinians, we carry a profound sense of dislocation, a feeling of being uprooted from a land that pulses in our veins. This constant struggle between belonging and not belonging defines our identity, for though we may be scattered across the world, our hearts remain firmly planted in the soil of Palestine. Through our culture, our food, and our traditions, we keep our heritage alive. Every dish we prepare, every story we tell, is an act of resistance, a way of preserving the essence of who we are. Even in the face of displacement, our nation lives on in the warmth of our kitchens, in the melodies of our songs, and in the memories of a homeland that can never be forgotten.

As first-generation Palestinians born and raised outside of our beloved homeland, we cling to every thread that connects us to Palestine. We find solace in the words of writers like Mahmoud Darwish and Ghassan Kanafani, who capture the soul of our people. We savor the taste of musakhan and maqluba, dishes that carry the essence of our land in every bite. We listen to the stirring melodies of Fairuz and  Ahmad Kaabour,  allowing their music to transport us to the hills of Jerusalem, the golden beaches of Yafa, and the serene waters of the Sea of Galilee. We imagine the winds of Tal Al Asur in Silwad whispering ancient stories, and we feel the warmth of the sun on the terraced olive groves that stretch across the landscape.

These acts are not just traditions; they are lifelines, binding us to the country we long for but cannot always reach. Because not everyone can visit our beloved Palestine, we bring it to others through our hospitality. Every Palestinian you meet will likely offer you a taste of our national dishes or invite you to a home-cooked meal. It’s our way of showcasing the real, authentic Palestinian way of living—a life steeped in resilience, warmth, and an unbreakable bond to a land that lives on in our hearts, from the bustling streets of Ramallah to the ancient city of Hebron, no matter how far we may be from its borders.