One of the nice things of going back to visit Israel during August of each year is that it’s usually the time that Jerusalem holds the Jerusalem International Arts Festival (Hutzut Hayotzer). Although it’s usually around the same themes, with similar settings, the live performances are terrific, the arts usually interesting to browse and the scenic night view of the old city I never get enough of.
I attended the festival back in 2008, and went again to visit this year. Here’s from the official Jerusalem International Arts Fair 2010 website :
Held at the Hutzot Hayotzer Arts and Crafts Center, Mitchell Gardens and the Merrill Hassenfeld Amphitheater in the Sultan’s Pool, opposite the Tower of David at the foot of the Old City Walls. The Fair, which has taken place for more than thirty years, has become a tradition in Jerusalem and the largest tourist attraction of the Jerusalem summer season.
The Israeli Pavilion
More than one hundred and fifty of the best of Israel’s artist and artisans exhibit paintings, prints, ceramics, metalwork and jewelry, weaving and textiles, Judaica, toys, crafts in various techniques, works in wood and more.The International Pavilion
Guest artists and artisans from abroad exhibit their crafts and works of art at the Festival in unique booths and exhibits and demonstrate their creative process. The international exhibit includes authentic and varied arts and crafts from all over the world:
From the Far East: China, India, Indonesia and Korea.
From South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala and Peru.
From Europe and Asia: Bulgaria, Georgia, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
From Africa: Angola, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Madagascar, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
From the Middle East: Jordan.
From North Africa: Morocco.
With the atmosphere of the little artist village old-style Jerusalem brick, it gives a pretty special feeling. It’s all really well set-up too, have a look…
More on the Jerusalem International Arts Festival 2010 :
I’m glad you liked my photos of the festival. They are all licensed under Creative Commons, which means that you may use them for non-profit purposes but you must give me credit for the photos. Best wishes, Avital Pinnick
Avital – thanks for dropping by. But… in my post, I haven’t used any of your photos at all. All of the photos posted I took by myself. I just linked since you were one of the only bloggers I found who wrote about the festival in English. ^_^
Ah–my apologies. I thought you had used some of my photos. I guess there’s bound to be overlap when two people are photographing the same dancers and exhibits. Sorry about the misunderstanding.
I like the fest! The puppets are very adorable! 😀
Michael XU