The beritage of mankind
 Bethlehem is at one and the same time a biblical place, the cradle of Christianity, and a town revered by Moslems. Signifying the "House of Bread" in Hebrew, Bethlehem was also dubbed Efrata, "the fruitful". The year 2000, a holy year, will mark the bimillenary of the Nativity. In order to commemorate an event of such importance to all mankind, a variety of initiatives have been assembled. Above all, the old town will be honoured. Among the urban development measures advocated to remedy the deterioration which it has suffered, the Bethlehem 2000 project is intended, in particular, to rehabilitate certain public areas of the old town centre and establish a workshop for the conservation and development of the cultural heritage.
The "Bethlehem 2000" exhibition, which offers a compendium of some seventy images of today's Bethlehem - its riches, its bleaker parts, its treasured memories and the vigour of its citizens - fits within UNESCO's campaign to raise the awareness of the public and donors.
As a pilot project, Bethlehem 2000 is also a chance to highlight, through an urban policy, some of the issues of culture, tourism and the economy which mark the rebirth of society, and thereby place a new milestone on the road to a culture of peace in the Middle East.
						Federico Mayor
Pax vobiscum semper
 The year 2000 is approaching apace and a large part of humanity is preparing to celebrate the bimillenary of the Nativity of Christ. In anticipation of this major event, the municipality of Bethlehem has set up a Committee for the organization of the festivities. It is a godsend that these preparations coincide with a historic moment celebrated by the entire Palestinian people and by our fellow citizens in particular. The occupation of Bethlehem is at an end and the Palestinian Authority is exercising its responsibilities over the town. We should welcome the fact that in this new era our first major action should be the launching of the Bethlehem 2000 project. An outstanding programme which aims to enhance the old city, restore its religious and historical monuments, and shed light on its contribution to the civilization of humanity. It is also apt that the international campaign be launched from our city itself, which enjoys total solidarity from the international community represented within UNESCO. The credit for having taken the initiative to organize the present roving photographic exhibition belongs to UNESCO and to its Co-ordination Unit for Assistance to the Palestinian People. It is, therefore, my pleasure to present our warm thanks to the Director-General of that Organization, Mr Federico Mayor, and to all those who are assisting him in the implementation of the Bethlehem 2000 programme. Without waiting for the comitments which will not be long in coming, I wish to express my deep gratitude to those countries and institutions which will house the exhibition or contribute by their donations to the success of the international campaign. The present exhibition constitutes, in our eyes, the most beautiful of gifts. It will give impetus to a movement which, with God's help, will lead us to tke bimillenary celebrations ard prepare Bethlehem to usher in the twenty-first century.

PAX VOBISCUM SEMPER
						Elias Freij

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