Sliman Mansour funeral takes place in Birzeit as mourners honour Palestinian artist

Sliman Mansour, a renowned Palestinian artist and a giant of Arab art, was laid to rest in his hometown of Birzeit on Wednesday. The funeral took place at St Peter’s Church, with mourners from across Palestine gathering to honor the artist who died at the age of 79.

Condolences poured in after Mansour’s passing was announced on Monday following a critical condition disclosed on social media. The funeral procession saw the hearse accompanied by a crowd of mourners as it made its way to the church. Church leaders and bagpipe players led the procession, and olive branches, a prominent motif in his art, were draped over the open casket.

Outside the church, mourners spilled into the streets to attend the service, with speakers set up in the area. Bishop Imad Haddad of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land delivered a eulogy, stating that many knew Mansour’s paintings, colors, and symbols. He added that Palestine had been seen through his eyes and brush.

Khaled Hourani, another artist, told AFP that the news of Mansour’s death felt like a great loss for Palestinian culture, likening it to an entire era ending. His family announced his death on Monday, expressing that they lost a father, a source of love, strength, and home. The family described the final chapter as having been written, with the world left with a life filled with beauty, memory, and a legacy that would continue through those Mansour touched.