Daniela Papadia's 'Il Filo dell’Alleanza' Unites Israeli and Palestinian Women Through Embroidery

On October 9, 2018, at Palazzo Riso in Palermo, artist Daniela Papadia presents 'Il Filo dell’Alleanza', a collective embroidery project involving women from Israel and Palestine. The work consists of six tapestries (1.23 x 2.60 m each) assembled with a gold thread symbolizing the Mediterranean, representing intercultural relations. Papadia collaborated with Women Wage Peace groups, a fashion school in Rehovot led by Letizia Della Rocca, and embroiderer Michal Avvisar. Participants include Palestinian, Israeli, Bedouin, and Druze women. The project was supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation under the OSCE Presidency, as part of the 'Italia, Culture, Mediterraneo' program. The embroiderers worked separately in Israel and Palestine, then met in Jerusalem to assemble the pieces into a single work depicting a Mediterranean map and 12 genes identified by neurophysiologist Riccardo Cassiani Ingoni. Despite rocket attacks from Gaza, all participants arrived. The project is documented in a film by Francesco Miccichè, produced by Istituto Luce and Reporter, with a trailer screening at the event. The presentation is part of BIAS 2018, the Biennale d’arte Sacra promoted by WISH – World International Sicilian Heritage.