Olive Wood Vase from Bethlehem

This vase, donated by Esther and Dan Epp-Tiessen, is about 7 cm at its widest point and 17 cm tall. Location Winnipeg, MB.

Esther writes, “The items I donated to the CFOS Art Auction are special to me because I love olive wood, from which these items are made. Olive trees are so precious to Palestinians because they provide desperately needed income and because they symbolize steadfastness (sumud), peaceful living, and rootedness in the land. My partner Dan brought the vase home from Bethlehem in November 2024. He said that the woodcarvers' cooperative, where he bought it, had not had any pilgrim or tourist groups come to see and purchase their carvings in months. The war on Gaza (and, increasingly, the West Bank) had devastated their economy and source of revenue. The wood carvings represent both the heartbreak and hope that is Palestine.