Bethlehem: A Sociocultural History/Book

“Bethlehem: A Socio Cultural History” book, published by Diyar Publisher in 2020.

Bethlehem has a unique setting spanning a fertile landscape to the west and desert to the east.

Its diverse environment made it a center for Baal and Adonis on the one hand, and the perfect setting for desert monasteries on the other.

Its historical and religious significance turned it into a place for pilgrimage, and a tourist destination, while its location on one of the ancient trade routes made it a city for expansive cultural exchange.

The city’s present-day inhabitants of Christian and Muslim Palestinians make it a unique place for inter-religious interaction.

Different aspects of this rich socio-cultural history are the focus of twelve essays by: Michele Bacci/ Amanda Batarseh/ Nicholas Blincoe/ Glenn Bowmann/ Nuha Khoury/ Lance Laird/ Elizabeth Marteijn/ Falistin Naili/ Tom Selwyn/ Sawsan Shomali/ Dana Soboh/ Gislen Widen.