A Palestinian artisan carves statues and ornaments from olive wood as he prepare for Christmas in his workshop in the West Bank city of Bethlehem.

The city is famous as the birthplace of Jesus Christ, whose arrival in the world is commonly celebrated on 25 December, although the exact date of his birth is uncertain.

The Palestinian territories have a significant Christian minority and Bethlehem in particular typically welcomes many faithful around Christmas every year, but this year strict Covid travel restrictions have all but ended tourism to the town.

Factory owner Nabil Jakman and factory worker Mohammed Abu Ida speak in the video about their workshop.

RESTRICTION SUMMARY: Bethlehem- 20 December 2021. A Palestinian artisan uses a carving tool at his workshop where he makes statues and objects from olive wood as prepare for Christmas season, in the West Bank city of Bethlehem.

0.1 SOUNDBITE (in Arabic) Factory owner, Nabil Jakman
0.2 SOUNDBITE (in Arabic) Mohammed Abu Ida


STORYLINE:

Christmas is an annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, observed primarily on December 25 as a religious and cultural celebration among billions of people around the world. A feast central to the Christian liturgical year, it is preceded by the season of Advent or the Nativity Fast and initiates the season of Christmastide, which historically in the West lasts twelve days and culminates on Twelfth Night. Christmas Day is a public holiday in many countries, is celebrated religiously by a majority of Christians, as well as culturally by many non-Christians, and forms an integral part of the holiday season organized around it.

Footage by APAwire