Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics ( PCBS)

reviews the current status of cultural institutions in Palestine on the occasion of the Palestinian Culture Day

On the occasion of Palestinian culture day on 13/3 every year, PCBS reviewed  the current status  of cultural institutions in Palestine in 2012, where cultural institutions means an institution which includes goods (tools and equipment) used in performing activities of arts ,crafts, recreational and sports activities that facilitate practicing Cultural activities in its broad sense

646 cultural centers in Palestine in 2012

There were 646 cultural centers operating in Palestine in 2012: 577 cultural centers in the West Bank and 69 in Gaza Strip.  The highest number of cultural centers in operation was in Nablus governorate with 107 and in Hebron governorate with 86.  Cultural centers provided 9.5 thousand cultural activities in 2012: 10.3% of these activities were seminars, 8.1% lectures, 63.0% training courses, 16.1% performances, and 2.5% plays.  In 2011 9 thousand cultural activities took place.

Increased participation in cultural activities

In 2012 there were 565 thousand participants in cultural activities: 466 thousand participants in the West Bank and 99 thousand participants in Gaza Strip. The greatest participation in cultural activities was in the governorate of Bethlehem with 94 thousand participants, followed by Hebron governorate with 86 thousand participants. In Tubas governorate, there were fewer participants numbering just four thousand. In 2011, there were 500 thousand participants in cultural activities.

44 thousand visitors to museums in 2012

There were 14 museums operating in Palestine: 10 museums in the West Bank and 4 in Gaza Strip.  There were around 44 thousand museum visitors of which 94.4% were Palestinians and 5.6% other nationalities. The results showed that the largest number of visitors was in April with 8 thousand visitors and the lowest number of visitors was in September with 1.5 thousand visitors. In 2011, the number of visitors to museums totaled 45 thousand.

Half of theatre plays targeted at children

There were 10 theaters operating in Palestine: 7 in the West Bank and 3 in Gaza Strip.  Around 122 plays were performed in Palestine: 68 plays in the West Bank and 54 in Gaza Strip. Of these, 50.0% of the plays were for children, 26.2% were for adults, and 23.8% were for both children and adults. Palestinian actors performed in 83.5% of plays, 2.5% plays were performed by Arab actors, 2.5% by non Arabs actors, and 11.5% were performed by actors of multi nationalities. There were around 96 thousand visitors to theaters, the highest number in March with 27 thousand visitors, followed by April with 16 thousand visitors.