The Mayor of Bethlehem; Ms. Vera Baboun welcomes the audience and stated the importance of the project as its affects the development and touristic sector as well as the aesthetic value of Bethlehem, especially as Bethlehem is unique of its architectural creativity and of its great ancient heritage. The Mayor thanked the Historian Khalil Shokeh for his continuous and hard work in documenting the memory of Bethlehem which is considered a mean of preserving our heritage. Ms. Vera Baboun highlighted the importance and the responsibility each citizen holds in preserving the cultural heritage and ended her speech by thanking each and everyone who contributed in the book especially CCHP, the municipal committee. 

In his speech, the director of The Centre for Cultural Heritage Preservation; Arch Issam Juha stated that this project is the first link in the cooperation series between the municipality and the centre. The book's launching accompanies the Rehabilitation of the Commercial Area in the Old City of Bethlehem funded by the PMSP Italian government project. Arch Juha stated the importance and the significance of the location of the project both historically and commercially in obtaining it in the memory of each and every one of us. He ended his speech by ensuring the importance of the role of the local community in the success of the cultural heritage preservation projects. Arch Juha thanked Bethlehem Municipality, Mr. Khalil Shokeh, the Italian government and Mr. George Al Aama for his contribution in enriching the book with valuable pictures.

Moreover, The Historian Khali Shokeh started his speech by thanking everyone who has contributed in enriching this project from individuals and organizations. He mentioned the expansions and changes the area has witnessed which is the main topic of the book. The book is considered a social documentation of the memory of the place under the title "We shall not forget". He ended his speech by presenting ancient photos expanding throughout various times.

The book is part of a book series in which Bethlehem Municipality, the Centre for Cultural Heritage Preservation and Mr. Khalil Shokeh are working on especially Bethlehem Mansions and Bethlehem guidebooks in the English language.