Refreshing festivals that take place in times of heat and very uncertain climate: chamber music at the YMCA, the poetry of Metula in Jerusalem, Roots in Petah Tikva and Love in Bat Yam
By Chiquita Levov, text and photos
Jerusalem International Chamber Music Festival
The Jerusalem International Chamber Music Festival, one of the most prestigious and important events in the world of classical music in Israel. This is its 27th edition and it will once again be under the artistic direction of Elena Bashkirova. This year, despite and perhaps because of the difficult situation, the festival production decided not to cancel it because music can be a cure for a suffering soul. The producer Uri Dror states “Especially in these difficult days, we are happy and excited to meet good and loyal friends here, and also some musicians who are coming to Israel for the first time.” He assures that music has the power to maintain physical and mental health even when it comes to traumatic events like the one our country experienced. Music is a defense mechanism that can help you cope and survive the terrible reality of this time. Produced by the Mishkenot Sha'ananim Music Center, Jerusalem. Between September 3 and 7 at the YMCA, Jerusalem. More data: www.jcmf.org.il
The seven concerts that will take place over the five days of the festival will feature Israeli and international artists, including the festival's artistic director pianist, Elena Bashkirova, who will perform alongside new and veteran festival artists. Among them the pianists Plamena Mangova and Denis Kozhukhin, the violinists Mihaela Martin, Madeleine Carruzzo and Marcos Karlinsky, the violist Adrien La Marca, the cellists Lenim Frans Helmerson, Astrig Siranossian and Ivan Karizna, the clarinetist Pablo Barragán and more. This year new Israeli and international musicians join the festival, such as pianists Georgijs Osokins, Itamar Carmeli and Igor Levit, violinists Nitzan Bartana and Fedor Rodin, viola players Nega Shaham, Catherine Spiegel and Roman Spitzer, cellist Haran Meltzer, oboe Christina Gómez Godoy, bassoon Nadav Cohen and more. This year celebrates quintet composition, in its many forms: works for string instruments, wind and piano ensembles, and more, and will focus primarily on the quintets of the famous composer Mozart.
Metula Poetry Festival this year in Jerusalem
Agi Mishol and Anat Zecharia
The very successful and popular Poetry Festival, for the first time in its history, will not be held in Metula, but in Jerusalem, at the Khan Theater and at the House of the Confederation of Mishkenot-Sha'ananim, an institution that has been producing it for more than 30 years. It is titled: “From the place where we are right”, taken from the relevant poem by Yehuda Amichai, the poet of love and war, which this year is the centenary of his birth. Efi Benaya, executive director of the Confederation and the festival, together with artistic directors Benny Ziper and Shiri Lev-Ari, declare: “Metula is abandoned and bombed and the north is at war but we do not cancel it. The festival, which in the past has also known wars and is able to withstand them, will also be celebrated this year and will take place in Jerusalem.” They add that the festival is celebrated as a sign of deep solidarity with the people of Metula and the Galilee and for trusting in the power of poetry and its necessity, especially in these difficult days. As is tradition: with free entrance. Between August 28 and 30. More data: http://www.confederationhouse.org
This year's program will be very special and will be in some way related to the reality that exists in the country. The opening of the festival will be a tribute to Amichai's poetry. The greats of poetry and literature, with several award-winning poets who will talk about this poet and the musicians will perform some of his compositions. among the musicians Israel Bright, Hemi Rodner, Oshi Masala, Miha Bitton and others. The poets will be there Erez Bitton, Agi Mishol, Nurit Zarhi and the writer Haim Bar, the rabbi poet Eljanan Nir and others. At a special event, Roni Somek will read the poems of Bitton, along with other poets.
Somek and Bitton
Other events: a tribute to poets who are no longer here: David Avidan, Yona Wallach, AB Yehoshua, Hezi Leskly, Dan Miron, K. Chetnik, Yoel Hoffman and Aharon Shabtai. “A ballad for a kibbutz” a meeting with the poets of the southern kibbutzim. Under the motive of “now we need a new Torah” we will talk with religious poets. A special project: Soldiers writing poetry brings the authentic voices of warriors from the battlefield. Nurit Zarhi and his poetry in conversation with his two daughters.
“Roots” Festival in Petah Tikva
Nurit Galron
En Petah tikva The nuances of Israeli culture will be celebrated through a rich program of shows, conferences and tours throughout the city, with the best local artists and creators. He Roots Festival It is a unique event that expresses the diverse creation of the roots of Israeli society in its numerous fields, and represents a fusion between East and West, past and present. It promises to be an unforgettable cultural experience for residents and visitors of this city. The festival will be held at the Municipal Hall of Culture and other cultural centers in the city, and will include performances, conferences and tours. Between September 1 and 5. https://petah-tikva.smarticket.co.il/
Among the notable shows scheduled: The singer Nurit Galrón with the musical band in an exciting show. “The Wandering Fiddle”: A Musical Journey to the Past Regions of the Israeli Diaspora. The Red Army Choir song show in Hebrew. The singer-songwriter Tamir Greenberg in a fascinating show. Yardena Arazi and Odeia Koren in an intriguing stage encounter “Doing Roots”. In addition, there will be tours: through synagogues and poetry, the one entitled “small businesses – big stories” in the ancient streets of Petah Tikva, through the archive of history, an exhibition of photographs of the city in collaboration with the Council for Heritage Preservation . A tour of bars and art in the city center and much more. And of course the visit to the Petah Tikva Art Museum in the magnificent exhibition “Album Sur, which presents 107 works and is a crossroads of various photographic albums – artistic, documentary and private.
Petah Tikva Museum
Mayor Rami Greenberg declares that Petah Tikva is experiencing a true revolution in the field of culture, art and leisure. In recent years, several cultural events and projects have opened in the city in addition to the numerous activities of the central cultural hall. The “Raices” festival is held in cooperation with the Lottery and is led by the Cultural Administration team. Another attractive event that takes place in Petah Tikva is The beer and meat festival, with dozens of beer stands, featured artists, and for the first time with a space for meat lovers. It opens with the group's performance ¨“Teapacks” and then a show with Sarit Hadad. On the 28th and 29.8th at Park Yitzhak Ohayon.
Bat Yam “Love on the Beach” Festival
Nasreen Kadri
In August, this celebration known as “Love on the Beach” returns for the third time in a big way, a festival of love on the coasts of Bat yam with surprising collaborations that have not yet been seen on other stages. This year, the public will be able to connect in two extraordinary evenings in which, in addition to music and joy, a prayer will be offered for the return of the kidnapped people and the safety of the IDF soldiers, all with a message of love and meaning. of Union. An excellent and unique opportunity to see on the first evening Nasreen Kadri introducing Amir Dadon and the duo Rita - Rami Kleinstein, in a triumphant joint program. On the second day Odeia will host Liran Danino and Tuna will perform a special performance. The festival will be held at Riviera Beach in Bat Yam along with good food, drinks, seating areas, the sound of waves and sea breezes. On August 21 and 22. More data: https://www.zappa-club.co.il/eventseries
Mayor Zvika Brot declares: “The festival that brought tens of thousands of visitors to the beaches of Bat Yam will return this year with two special evenings of unity and prayer for much better days.” In this spirit, at the Bat Yam festival, the public will be able to see and hear Israel's best artists on one of the most magical beaches in the country: Riviera Beach. Within the festival, musical surprises are expected, in the form of unique collaborations never seen before here, which will undoubtedly lead to unforgettable interpretations of musical hits along with performances that will be remembered for many years.