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All Spirits I Photo: Yair Meyuhas

Nitzavim I Photo: Yair Meyuhas

VERSE Art with a conscience

great or will be great, but as a broad, horizon-building perspective”. Alongside the monthlong festival, a multitude of events are taking place. Here’s a brief overview of some of the main highlights. We warmly invite you to explore the festival website where you’ll find a whole world of original and inspiring Israeli creation. Hip-Hop Talpiot When the orchestra takes over the beat Tamir Muskat, one of Israel’s most influential music producers, brings together Israeli hip hop and the Jerusalem Street Orchestra for a night of beats and symphonic creation in Talpiot. Leading rappers and artists from the local hip hop scene (Jimbo J, Teddy Neguse, Echo, etc.) share the stage with a full symphony orchestra conducted by Ido Shpitalnik. Sonic Blue In an original production headed by musician and producer Rejoicer, a constellation of inspiring young Israeli talents (Riff Cohen, Alex Moshe, Gal Toren, and more) share the stage for an evening of hypnotic instrumental beats for a deep dive into sensory memories and synesthetic color and sound sensations.

Ehud Banai, Ninet Tayeb, Berry Sakharof, and more), collectives, journalists, and social activists, taking part in performances, thrilling conversations, documentary film screenings, participatory art formats, and live music. Sagui Dekel-Chen A new life in sound and music Sagui Dekel-Chen was held hostage by Hamas for 498 days in Gaza. During his time in captivity, he wrote and composed 9 songs, memorizing them in his mind. This special festival event will see him take the stage for the first time since his release, and sing the songs that became a concrete reality after his return home when he embarked upon a long and healing journey of creativity in collaboration with producers Liad Grushka and Idan Shneor. The evening will begin at the gates of Kibbutz Nir Oz, continue through its winding paths, and end on the beloved kibbutz lawn. Dekel Chen will be accompanied by special guests, including leading Israeli artists, close friends, fellow captives, children of bereaved families, and brothers in arms. ˆ Until August 20th, israel-festival.org

A special collaborative project between the Israel Festival and the Aner Shapiro Foundation. Aner Shapiro was a multi-talented Jerusalem artist - a composer, writer, and singer, who fell in heroic battle on the morning of October 7, while saving many lives. Shapiro believed in the power of art and music to bring people together, heal, and unite. VERSE is a two-day event inspired by his spirit of compassion and creativity, inviting us to listen, speak up, and take action, with dozens of artists (including

Sagui Dekel Chen I Design: Yael Yakobi & Yuval Shavit

30 ATMOSPHERE AUGUST 2026