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“A dream of recovery amidst the reality of war” To mark its 64 th edition, this year’s Israel Festival is expanding far beyond Jerusalem and into the communities of Majdal Shams, Kiryat Shmona, Ofakim, and others, north and south. Original material by leading Israeli artists will be presented in all of these locations, each creation an attempt at grappling with our difficult times / By Anat Zacharia

Since October 7, the Israel Festival has played a vital role in providing a stage for Israeli artists as they attempt to make sense of our painful reality. Now more than ever, as the festival marks its 64 th edition, artistic directors Michal Vaknin and Itay Mautner are seeking to be a platform for human connection and expression in the here and now. Under the title “A dream of recovery amidst the reality of war”, the festival will take place this

year across 24 days and for the first time, wiil expand beyond the city of Jerusalem, with many events being held in the north and south, where the impact of war has been the most devastating. “Our request. Our intention. Our prayer” “Our reality stings”, say Michal Vaknin and Itay Mautner. “Our hearts are broken, and our eyes are still far from

dry. And amidst all this, life asks us to infuse it with meaning; to make it worthy of the weight it carries. This year’s festival seeks to offer another perspective on our circumstances, spark a bit of light in the darkness, make room for something else to come in. This is our request. Our intention. Our prayer”, they explain. Israel Festival 2025 has many different events and performances in store, including live concerts, dance

26 ATMOSPHERE JULY 2025