Jerusalem- Ancient Scenery for Contemporary art

Photo: Miri Yanai

On Jerusalem Day, Israel marks the return of  Jerusalem to Jewish sovereignty after close to 2,000 years. The old stones of history set a modern stage for the fringe and contemporary. Though Jerusalem has a lot to show as far as sights, monuments and archeology go, this Jerusalem Day we decided not to focus on history but rather see how the discourse with the past creates the art of the present.

The Israel Festival which will be held in Jerusalem for the 49th year, ranks at the pinnacle of Israel’s cultural scene. For an entire month artists from Israel and abroad will make a cultural pilgrimage to Jerusalem to showcase their works. During this month Dancers, musicians and actors will use Jerusalem as their stage with every corner of the city engulfed in music.

Among those coming to Israel, visitors will find: the Akram Khan company from Britain, Chinese born choreographer Shen Wei, British Gecko Theater, the Georgian State Theater company from Tbilisi, Israeli singer Yehuda Poliker,  Argentinian Tango dancers, French light installations and many more.

During the festival artists from across the world with collaborate with Jerusalem’s art schools in improv sessions, master classes and late night parties. Jerusalem’s old gates will be swept away by Gypsy funk and in the Sultan’s Pool Verdi’s  La Traviata will echo under Mt. Zion.

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