Hussan (Arabic: حوسان) is a Palestinian town located 9 km west of Bethlehem in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, home to just over 7,000 residents. Its name means “goodness and beauty” in Arabic. The town is situated in the Seam Zone, separated from much of the West Bank by the Israeli barrier. This year, Banff Academy partnered with the Hussan School for Boys as part of Repurposing the Past: Banff to Bethlehem - a creative project linking students in Scotland and Palestine. Banff’s S2 students worked with local artists, storytellers, and businesses to explore the themes of Regrowth, Renewal, and Regeneration, showing how forgotten stories and reclaimed materials can inspire sustainable futures and community transformation.

The project celebrated shared creativity through local action and international collaboration, especially with Palestinian street artist Taqi Spateen. Students reflected on themes such as erased histories, sustainable futures, storytelling across generations, and community renewal. Their work culminated in a public exhibition in Banff and a powerful moment of solidarity as their art was displayed on the Separation Wall in Bethlehem. With support from The Forge art collective, the students’ work was elevated to a professional standard. Through art, dialogue, and shared purpose, Repurposing the Past showed how young people in Scotland and Palestine can connect across borders to challenge barriers, celebrate identity, and imagine a more just and creative future.