Why you haven’t heard about the Palestine Museum in Edinburgh (and why you should visit)
If you’re only just hearing about the new Palestine Museum in Edinburgh, you’re not alone!
I recently shared a video reel on Instagram and TikTok about this important cultural space, and it became immediately clear: the content was being held back. Despite high engagement from my usual community, analytics showed a sharp decline in reach. I dug into the data (and shared my findings on our IG Stories) and the results told a frustrating story. This wasn’t just a coincidence. On platforms where visibility often relies on virality, it seems the topic of Palestine still comes with algorithmic resistance.
But that’s exactly why the Palestine Museum exists (and why it’s so important that people know about it.)
What is the Palestine Museum Edinburgh?
Opened in May 2025, this is now the first museum in Europe wholly dedicated to contemporary Palestinian art. Located on Dundas Street, just a short walk from Edinburgh’s Princes Street, the museum sports their colourful flag to draw attention to its entrance.
Why Edinburgh’s Palestine Museum opens a vital cultural conversation
We often talk about Edinburgh as a city rich in stories – from its literary roots to global festivals – but the Palestinian narrative has rarely had space here. The museum is an urgent response to the increasing cancellation and censorship of Palestinian cultural events across Europe.
Inside, you’ll find visual interpretations from real voices, lived experiences, and a space that encourages you to slow down, listen, and reflect. The day I paid a visit, there were two volunteers on hand – a Palestinian lady who (I believe) had been living in the UK for a while now, and another person who had built their PhD around the current conflicts.
What it’s like visiting the Palestine Museum on Dundas Street
I visited the museum shortly after it opened. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but the volunteers couldn’t have been more welcoming. I had a lot of questions, and I was grateful for the honest, open conversations that helped me filter through the current social media noise and get closer to the roots of the stories behind the art.
In particular, I wanted to learn more about their thoughts (and challenges) towards Hamas. I’m ashamed to admit that (even now) my historical knowledge around their activities leading up to October 7th 2023 is limited (some might say, poor).) Despite arriving on a steady (rainy) day, the volunteers on hand welcomed the opportunity to educate me, using the large map on the floor of the opening room to support their explanations.
In memory of Child 991: One of the most powerful exhibits at the museum
One of the most haunting pieces in the museum is titled “In Memory of Child 991.” It was created by a Palestinian doctor using the blood of an unidentified child following an attack on a residential block. The child’s name was never known, but their blood remains in this artwork, a visceral act of remembrance.
Palestinian children’s art amid conflict
Another deeply emotional section of the exhibit features drawings by Palestinian schoolchildren from 2008. The school where these were created no longer exists, it was destroyed in a recent war. The donor who shared the artwork lost their life in the same attack.
This part of the museum offers a heartbreaking contrast: the innocence of childhood etched in colourful sketches, surrounded by the destruction of war.
Palestinian art beyond war … stories of culture and joy
While some of its stories are difficult ones, it’s worth noting the optimistic and proud glimpses into Palestinian life that this museum showcases. From everyday moments to vibrant traditions, the museum reminds visitors that Palestinian identity is not solely defined by conflict.
This nuance, so often missing in broader conversations at the moment, is what makes the museum’s existence even more crucial.
How social media is silencing coverage of the Palestine Museum
Despite the museum’s significance, social media platforms are making it harder for stories like this to gain traction. My Instagram and TikTok videos about the museum received unusually low reach.
More frustrating for the museum volunteers, their Google reviews were being spammed with low scores from hidden users, marked with no explanation. Since my visit, these seem to be on the decline – Google will accept reports on poor reviews without explanation, and I’m sure I wasn’t the only person to wade in to record (what appeared to be) fake reviews.
Support, volunteer, and visit: How you can engage with the Palestine Museum
This museum is volunteer-run, grassroots, and powered by community. If you’re in Edinburgh (or planning a visit) it’s a must-see. And if you can’t visit, you can still support:
- Donate to help keep the museum running
- Follow their official Palestine Museum channels to stay informed
- Share content (even if algorithms try to bury it)
- Talk about it with your friends and community
