The art of tatreez, traditional Palestinian embroidery, declared a form of Intangible Immaterial Heritage by UNESCO, is a Palestinian folk art traditionally practiced by women. It has now become a symbol of Palestinian culture, identity and resistance. The craft has historically fostered, and continues to foster, spaces for interaction and learning among women across generations, sharing art traditions with other regions around the Arab world and the Mediterranean. 

Tatreez was used to decorate dresses, with specific shapes, colors and motifs that helped identify the region and place where they were woven in historic Palestine. This formed a map of symbols and memories that was completely turned upside-down after the Nakba occupation, taking on new forms and uses during the various phases of the Palestinian struggle to reclaim and return to their land. Today, in addition to being a form of artistic expression, memory and cultural resistance, it also serves as a means for survival, especially among many Palestinian women in the diaspora. 

The purpose of the workshop, which will be held at Madrid’s Círculo de Bellas Artes on July 15, 2026 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., is to raise awareness about the different varieties and dimensions of this form of intangible cultural heritage and its significance in terms of Palestinian identity and culture. It will include a theoretical presentation lasting 15 minutes, about tatreez in Palestinian history and culture, followed by a hands-on embroidery session featuring some of the region’s traditional patterns, such as the Gaza coffee bean, the snowflake or Star of Bethlehem, the Ramallah dove, the Hebron cypress and the Jaffa oranges. 

Registration 
The workshop is suitable for families. 
Materials provided (this will include materials adapted for children). Limited space (25 people maximum). 
One registration per person. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. 
Free entry after registering by following this link. 

The workshop has been organized as part of the events in Ágora Ciudadana, a public space open to the public that forms part of the ”International Forum for Palestinian Culture,” organized in Madrid by the Ministries of Culture of Spain and Palestine from July 14 to 16, 2026, as a result of cooperation between Casa Árabe and Spain’s Ministry of Culture.