"Al-Hakawati" theater was officially opened in Jerusalem on 9 May 1984 at the hands of the “al-Hakawati” troupe, which managed it until 1989, serving as the first Palestinian theatre and specialized cultural centre. Afterwards, the management of the theatre transformed into an independent Palestinian Board of Trustees that comprised authors, artists, writers, poets and active Palestinian figures at the national and grass-roots levels. Since its establishment, "al-Hakawati" theatre has been interested in serving as a platform for meetings as well as for cultural and artistic activity to develop strategies and activities that advance committed artistic and theatrical work at the national level. The theatre's activities have evolved and its objectives have gone beyond the issue of preserving the threatened Palestinian cultural heritage to building on it and searching for new ideas, potential, and constructive directions.

The Palestinian National Theatre "al-Hakawati" Collection includes photographs of events, evenings, seminars, exhibitions, plays, and musical nights hosted or produced by the Theatre. It also includes some documents such as newspaper clippings and press releases that capture the Theatre's news and activities.