On Thursday, June 18, Honorary Charles Gaetan Xavier Luc Duval, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism & External Communications for the Republic of Mauritius (an Island nation off the coast of Africa) paid a visit to the Bethlehem Museum.
Hon. Duval was in Bethlehem attending the United Nations World Tourism Organization’s International Conference on Religious Tourism, which was held in Palestine for the first time on June 15th. He received a tour detailing the museum’s mission and history, as well as showcasing its rare artifacts which reveal the long history of Palestinian Christians in the Holy Land.
Hon. Duval expressed that he was very happy to be one of the museum’s first visitors. He noted that he was particularly impressed with its collection of traditional Palestinian dresses and embroidery, which serve as one of the most valuable symbols of Palestinian heritage and culture. At the conclusion of the tour, Hon. Duval promised that this would not be his last visit to the Bethlehem Museum.