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There is a beautiful love relationship between Palestinian farmers and the land and trees. The Olive Harvest is the most joyful season in Palestine mainly because it involves a picking and gathering process that has been a trademark for this land for nearly six thousand years. The process also involves feeding people and sharing food and stories; it is about hospitableness. What is also interesting about this time of year is that almost everyone in Palestine is involved in the olive picking process: families designate special times for olive picking and schools organise trips for the students to go and pick olives. The Festival takes place in Manger Square, Bethlehem, during October of every year. Locals and visitors come to the Square to enjoy dances, music and traditional handicrafts, and certainly indulge in the celebration of the olive tree and its significance in Palestinian life and culture and the connection to the land. It is important to note that a similar festival is held in other parts of Palestine namely the Canaan Fest that is held every year in the village of Burqin in Jenin right under the olive trees and in the presence of local farmers, where visitors enjoy Palestinian folklore from music, dances and other traditional activities.
