Preserving and passing on Palestinian heritage in little packets, in spite of the ugly reality of occupation.

Like most farmers around the world, Palestinian farmers are facing the dangers of agribusiness, corporate seed, land dominance along with political violence. But many of these farmers are the heroes who have been safeguarding these precious seeds and the knowledge these seeds carry. Palestinian heirloom seed varieties are under threat; many have gone extinct. These seeds that have been passed down to us over the centuries carry in their genes the stories and the spirits of the Palestinian indigenous ancestors. Aside from their cultural significance, these seeds carry options for our future survival as we face climate change and the erosion of agrobiodiversity worldwide. As such, it is urgent that we save and propagate them.

Founded by Vivien Sansour, the PHSL and its Traveling Kitchen project seek to preserve and promote heritage and threatened seed varieties, traditional Palestinian farming practices, and the cultural stories and identities associated with them. Based in the village of Battir, a UNESCO World Heritage site outside Bethlehem, the PHSL also serves as a space for collaborations with artists, poets, writers, journalists, and other members to showcase and promote their talents and work. Working closely with farmers, Sansour has identified key seed varieties and food crops that are threatened with extinction and would provide the best opportunities to inspire local farmers and community members to actively preserve their bioculture and recuperate their local landscape. The PHSL is part of the global conversation about biocultural heritage. Its Traveling Kitchen is a mobile venue for social engagement in different communities, promoting cultural preservation through food choices.
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SABELLA ZINNIA زنيا سابيلا
Gifted to Vivien by her life long friend and mentor John Sabella, these zinnias bloom in summer and offer the garden an array of colors that attract both pollinators and humans alike. They have been planted in Palestine for the last five years becoming a kind of a personal heirloom. The Sabella Zinnias tell the story of our need for reciprocal relationships that inspire us to do better in the world and for ourselves. In their quite beauty, they bring so much life to the garden creating joy for our hearts and the hearts of the hummingbirds and butterflies.

According to John his zinnias only require two things: esperar y confiar.

Plant after the last frost in shallow soil. Irrigate regularly. Zinnias are best planted directly in soil with direct sun.
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Each packet includes an information card along with seeds.