The Mekudeshet Festival is one of the most important art & music festivals of the year, highlighting the history and complexity of the city of Jerusalem through creativity, passion and community
In a city as rich with history, diverse in culture and stricken with conflict as the city of Jerusalem, it is no surprise that the city would express itself using visual and experiential art, and there’s no better place to see the incredible works inspired by the city than at the Mekudeshet Festival coming this September. This unique and highly anticipated event allows visitors to experience and learn about the complexities of the ancient city through a fascinating and engaging lens - art. The festival takes place over the course of three weeks in the middle of September and features work from some of Israel’s most talented artists. From vocal performances featuring Arab and Jewish sings to massive towers made from ancient Jerusalem windows to power-restoring ceremonies and meditation sessions, immerse yourself in these enriching exhibitions that celebrate the ever-evolving culture and people of the unique city of Jerusalem.
Window Stories
At the forefront of revolutionary, activist art, is Yoram Amir, one of Jerusalem’s most innovative artists, preservationist, photographer and mentor. Before his unfortunate death, Amir joined forces with the artistic duo, Itamar Paloge and Lila Peleg, to create a massive sculpture out of over 500 ancient Jerusalem windows that were found and restored to build a beautiful Gazebo-like structure. This year, Amir’s vision will finally come into fruition and the public will be able to experience this beautiful and impactful work. The structure is meant to symbolize the coming together of people from all different kinds of cultures, religions and ethnicities in unity, just as windows with different histories and backgrounds-- Armenian hack-windows and English windows alongside Star of David frames and Arabic arches - come together to create something magnificent.
Window Stories © Daniel Hanoch
Window Stories, through Sep. 21 Gan HaSus
Dissolving Boundaries
Experience Jerusalem in a unique and enlightening way, unlike anything you’ve experienced before. Choose between three doco-theatrical journeys and immerse yourself fully in the culture of Jerusalem as you are introduced to a diverse range of people from all different backgrounds and perspectives on religion, politics and identity. Open your eyes fully during a carefully crafted five to seven-hour adventure that will give you a completely personal and intimate look at the land.
Dissolving Boundaries © Gil Rouvio
Dissolving Boundaries, through Sep. 20
Taking Sides
Artist, Adam Yekutieli, aims to critique the ambiguity and arbitrariness of territories and borders through his ongoing series called “Taking Sides,” which was first started in London in 2013. For the Mekudeshet Festival, Yekutieli will draw lines on the sidewalk near nine high-traffic spaces in Jerusalem with phrases that address the complexity of borders and evoke emotions for the passersby. Yekutieli hopes that by re-dividing Jerusalem and pulling it apart, he will be able to put it back together again.
Our Side Their Side © Adam Yekutieli
Taking Sides- Sep. 17, 8:00 am
The Tower of David
One of the festivals founding principles is that music and art have the capacity to bring people together in a way that is unlike any other medium. So you won’t want to miss the Mekudeshet Festival’s annual five-part musical program which takes place over the course of 23 hours, ending with a special sunrise concert and closing celebration. The incredible performance pays tribute to many different genres of music, creating a unique blend of old and new, traditional and electronic, local and international music which also incorporates melodies and musical trends from both the East and West sides of Jerusalem.
Mekudeshet © Noam Chojnowski
The Tower of David- Sep. 19-20, 6:30 pm
Mekudeshet Festival, in locations all over Jerusalem, 02-653585, mekudeshet.com