אל על | אטמוספירה

Theatre | Falklands War memories Argentinian artist Lola Arias reunites former foes to explore what is left of their rivalry and their recollections of war in her fascinating show “Minefeld”. Forty-one years after the British victory over the junta’s armies in the Malvinas/Falklands War, the memories and experiences of those who took part in the battles face the test of time, collectively linked in a layered, human story. Performing Arts | between fantasy and reality Brazilian artist and choreographer Alice Ripoll is in Israel with two fascinating pieces. One is “Lavagem” (“wash” in Portuguese), which deals with what we designate as dirty. Cleaning’s familiar movements are transformed into a poetic-political dance that expresses the absurdity of trying to live in a clean, unsullied world. “Lavagem” presents an ancestral past filled with struggles, but also with secrets about joy and cheerfulness, widening the cracks that separate the clean from the dirty. Another noteworthy dance show is “Fuck Me”, by choreographer and dancer Marina Otero. It moves back and forth between documentary and fiction, dance and performance. With an injured body that has forced her to yield center stage, Otero uses the sidelines to instruct her dancers with her fantasies and whims that end up revealing her life story. (The show contains nudity). Podcasting | an evening with Ira Glass and Etgar Keret Podcast guru Ira Glass and world renowned writer Etgar Keret combine their skills for this evening of powerful and funny stories.

Celebrating Israeli artistic creation

Alongside the huge productions showcased in the festival, a spotlight is being shone on local artists as well. This initiative called “Ofek” (“horizon” in Hebrew), includes three Israeli creations, namely: “Yama”, “Love me Tender’, and “Short Term”. Yama combines martial arts, spoken word, theatre and beat, so as to carve out a story that is part guided tour, part Krav Maga and part ritual prayer. Rooted in the city of Jaffa’s rich and glorious past, the story unfolds between Hebrew, Arabic and Yiddish, dreams and reality. Love Me Tender is former judoka Corinne Kitzis’ first full length theatrical work. In it, she lays out her life’ battles on a giant judo mat. The battles on stage become a coming-of age journey during which Kitzis searches for where to direct her power, how and where to unload it. Through this process, she breaks life down into its universal elements: love, family, identity, and freedom. Short Term deals with the fragility of life. It tells the story of a boy who loses his mother far too early, of a father who is losing his memory, and of the passing of time. Semyon Alexandrovsky is a bold and unique voice in contemporary theatre. His works invite the audience to take an active part in the performance, encouraged to come on stage, walk around, rummage through drawers and cabinets, take a seat, and attempt to answer the question of what time eventually does to each and every one of us.

Mark Eliyahu I Photo: Carlos yanez

Etgar Keret I Photo: LielleSand

Ira Glass I Photo: Sandy Honig

Glass will also be giving a podcast masterclass on a separate night in which he weaves together audio, video and music, bringing alive the mechanism by which he crafts compelling, memorable stories. ˆ Israel Festival, Jerusalem, August 1 st – 11 th . For more information about the shows and events: israel-festival.org/en/

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ATMOSPHERE AUGUST 2023