Preserving Heritage, Sowing Autonomy: The Palestine Heirloom Seed Library

Vivien Sansour, founder of the Palestine Heirloom Seed Library, envisions the project as more than agricultural conservation. She describes it as a foundational act of autonomy. “We want the Seed Library to be a place of freedom,” Sansour said. The initiative aims to secure Palestinian autonomy over food sources. It also seeks self-determination for cultural and intellectual life. For Sansour, this work connects to broader global struggles. “I don't see Palestine as an isolated story,” she explained. The library preserves heirloom seeds, which are traditional plant varieties passed down through generations. This act safeguards biodiversity, agricultural heritage, and cultural identity. The library serves as a living archive. It protects rare seed varieties from local extinction. This work directly supports food sovereignty, which is the right of people to control their own food systems. Ultimately, the project links land, history, and community. It cultivates resilience by preserving seeds as a source of both nutrition and cultural continuity.