In addition to the performances, the festival also features professional conferences, master classes, and workshops conducted by guest artists from abroad.
Recognized as one of the most prominent cultural events in Jerusalem, Israel, and worldwide, the festival significantly emphasizes artistic collaborations with historical sites and institutions in Jerusalem. These include the Jerusalem Theater, the Tower of David, the Sultan's Pool, Gerard Behar Center, Beit Mazia Theater, the YMCA, Beit Shmuel, Hansen House, the First Station, Ein Kerem, and the Israel Museum.
The festival operates in collaboration with various organizations, including the Jerusalem Municipality, the Cultural Director of the Ministry of Culture and Sports, the Jerusalem Foundation, the Israel Lottery, embassies, academic institutions, and numerous cultural centers in Jerusalem and abroad. Its mission is to enrich the cultural landscape in Jerusalem and Israel, foster international cultural relations, and promote artistic discourse.
Selected Events at the 2023 Israel Festival
About Love
Date: August 1, 2023
Time: 20:30
Location: Ha’atsmaut Park
Price: 180 NIS
Mark Eliyahu, alongside Rita, Omar Faruk Tekbilek, Valerie Hamaty, and Shai Tsabari, presents an extraordinary concert. Taking place on the evening of Tu B'av, when hearts are open and spirits soar, this international performance at Ha’atsmaut Park unites Asia with Jerusalem. This special show, aiming for reconciliation and solace, brings together musicians who pour their hearts on the stage. One of the exceptional artists featured is the Kamancheh phenomenon, Mark Eliyahu, an internationally acclaimed star with a devoted following worldwide, who revives the enchantment of this ancient instrument. Joining him on this evening are the legendary diva of Israeli music, Rita, the master of Sufi exhalation from Turkey, Omar Faruk Tekbilek, the soul-stirring singer Valerie Hamaty, and the man with the biggest soul, Shai Tsabari. Through their joined performances, these stars invite you to get lost in a fantastical world and drift away with their captivating sounds. Modern meets ancient, secular encounters the sacred, East embraces West, all united in a harmonious rhythm of love.
This show is presented in cooperation with the Jerusalem Municipality and the Jerusalem Foundation.
Meshuleshet
Date: August 2, 2023
Time: 19:30
Location: Ha’atsmaut Park
Price: 180 NIS
Tank & the Bangas, Jasmin Moallem, and Echo electrify the Ha’atsmaut Park. Just like the vibrant city of New Orleans, the origin of Tank & the Bangas, this lineup epitomizes the joyous celebration of diverse musical styles. After winning an NPR Award and garnering a Grammy nomination, this groovy band has become a global sensation, infusing soul, funk, hip-hop, and rock into their music. Now, they grace the stage at Ha’atsmaut Park with their full ensemble for an unforgettable and refreshing show.
This performance is presented in cooperation with the Jerusalem Municipality and the Jerusalem Foundation.
MINEFIELD
Dates: August 9, 2023 - 21:00 | August 10, 2023 - 20:00 | August 11, 2023 - 11:00
Location: Nissan Nativ Acting Studio, Jerusalem
Price: 140 NIS
MINEFIELD, a docu-theatrical masterpiece by Argentine filmmaker Lola Arias, unites former enemies in a compelling narrative. This thought-provoking work takes audiences on a multichannel journey through their memories and experiences, four decades after the Malvinas/Falklands War. As the stories of those who participated in the conflict withstand the test of time, they intertwine to form a profound and human tale. The production ingeniously deconstructs the weighty subject, employing video screens, a rock band, and elements of humor and drama to transform war into a captivating and reflective experience.
Lavagem
Dates: August 10, 2023 - 18:45 | August 11, 2023 - 13:00
Location: School of Visual Theatre
Price: 140 NIS
Blue plastic sheets, buckets, water, and soap set the stage for Lavagem. Six dancers engage in a captivating performance of cleaning, both physically and metaphorically. Representing the residents of Rio de Janeiro's favelas, they embark on a poetic-political dance that explores the concept of dirt. Money, conscience, and history manifest in their movements, as they strive to create a clean and pristine world. Lavagem (which means "Cleaning" in Portuguese), choreographed by Brazilian artist Alice Ripoll, is an energetic, sweeping, and passionate show that challenges the boundaries between cleanliness and filth, between what is acceptable and what is forbidden, and between punishment and redemption.
