Jerusalem 2019 Light Festival in Old City

Jerusalem 2019 Light Festival in Old City

The annual Jerusalem Light Festival is once again lighting up the walls of the Old City.

Every year I try and go early to get into position for photos at sunset.

Sign for Blue Route on Jerusalem light festival

The lights were just getting going near the end of the Blue route.

Jerusalem Light Festival

‘Choosing Mildness’ would be more vivid after dark.

Jerusalem Light Festival sign

For each installation, a sign was posted with details.

Thankfully I took photos of a few signs.

A very nice young man in a security vest offered me his map, only the text was in Arabic!

So the first piece of advice, start at the beginning of the routes and do not go in reverse as I did.

Light Festival Jerusalem Israel

I could not find the last art piece #17 on the Blue Route. Due to security for an event on Thursday night, it was not open on Wednesday as well.

Jerusalem Light Festival in Old City

The next to last piece, #16 ‘Trumpet Flowers,’ was ready to go.

Light Festival in Jerusalem

This year the Blue Route goes on the outside of the old city walls from Jaffa Gate to Dung Gate. But beware if you do the route in reverse it can get confusing.

Jerusalem Light Festival

Lights and people dressed in lights were popular this year.

Jerusalem Festival of light

Near Jaffa Gate, as it got dark the blue lights were easy to follow.

Jerusalem light festival in old city

More actors dressed in lights were near Jaffa Gate.

Jerusalem Festival of light

This was one of my favorite photographs.

However, since I cannot read Arabic, I am not sure what it is.

Jerusalem lights on Damascus Gate

The lights on Damascus Gate were interesting near the end of the Green Route.

Jerusalem light festival at Damascus Gate

They changed, but too slowly for a good video.

I had forgotten just how amazing was the masterpiece from five years ago.

Light festival in Jerusalem old city walls

Here was one interactive Green Route attraction aimed to interest children.

This was my fourth attempt to take a video here.

Families kept walking by and posing for photos.

Jerusalem Light Festival near New Gate

Entering the New Gate on the Red Route was this piece.

Jerusalem light festival street flowers

‘Street Flowers’ was a popular overhead attraction.

Light Festival in Old City Jerusalem

The streets in the Arab market are always an interesting photo op.

Arab market in old city Jerusalem for light festival

The shops themselves are colorful when well lit.

‘Call for a Wish’ needed a video better than a photograph.

Muristan Square with French light artist Jerusalem light festival

Lucky this year, instead of getting lost in the Christian Quarter, as usual, I met the artist of #17 Blue Route at Muristan Square. Mr. Franck was free to wander as his special piano will not be on display until next week.

People taking photos at Jerusalem light festival

By the time I got to the light tunnel crowds were building.

Jerusalem light festival light tunnel and photographers

You should be seeing many photos and videos of this attraction.

Jerusalem light festival shops in Arab shuk open at night

More shops were open in the Arab shuk than in the past.

It got so crowded in some places, I had to hold my camera over my head and push through the crowd trying hard not to fall on the uneven stone streets.

Jerusalem Light festival near Jaffa Gate

I finished the Red Route back at the plaza by Jaffa Gate.

Jerusalem light festival wall near Jaffa Gate

The photo of the walls outside Jaffa Gate was not the usual lovely image.

But it seems this ‘Dance Party’ was just getting started as I was leaving.

This year there was no route that went through the Jewish Quarter.

Remember last year’s beautiful ‘Rainbow’ on the Hurva Synagogue?

I am considering going back next week to check out my new friend’s piano in Davidson Archeological Park.

Equipment for Jerusalem light festival

This was the serious equipment aimed at the walls near the end of the Blue Route.

Jerusalem 2019 Light Festival runs from June 26 to July 4th.

It has been a while since I did over a 3-hour walk.

Make sure you wear good shoes.

Festival of Light in Jerusalem

Let me know what you think of the Festival of Light in Jerusalem if you go.

There’s much more happening in Jerusalem, Israel this week, but enough for now.

 

 

Jerusalem Light Festival in Old City

Jerusalem Light Festival in Old City

School is out for the summer.

Temperatures are rising

and the Jerusalem, Israel, streets are warming up.

At night in the Old City

the Jerusalem Light Festival is lighting up the streets.

‘Interactive’ is this year’s theme.

I like to arrive at the Old City early before dark

to be at the starting point at Jaffa Gate.

Giant photo frame with Tower of David inside Jerusalem light festival

Giant picture frames were ready for selfies,

and the Tower of David looked too good not to share.

Drawn in Light Rampart Tower of David for Jerusalem Light Festival 2017

A giant mobile, “Drawn in Light”

hovered near the Jaffa Gate.

Jerusalem light festival Gan HaBonim

This “Cathedral of Mirrors” needed audience participation.

The Pool interactive circles for Jerusalem Light Festival

The circles of “The Pool” were being tested.

It was opening night

Opening of Jerusalem light festival

and last minute electrical work was being done,

Giant robotic peacock for Jerusalem Light Festival

and the “Peacock” arrived near Zion Gate.

In Dormition Alley,

Jerusalem Light festival upside down my Israeli

“Upside Down” is the work of the son of an Israeli friend.

Approximately half of the 39 installations

were created by international artists, from Australia to US.

Along the trail there were spots with

live music for Jerusalem light festival

with a variety of live musicians.

This year the Rova, the Jewish Quarter Square,

featured one of the festival highlights.

Hurva Synagogue lit for Jerusalem light festival with soldier sitting in front

A group of soldiers posed for this photo

in the light projections on the Hurva Synagogue.

Instead of marking the path with different colored lights,

NeuorModulator entering Muristan color and music at Jerusalem light festival

this year orange arrows led the way.

For the first time I did not get lost

Oasis in Muristan Square with large elephants Jerusalem Old City Israel

around Muristan Square,

where giant elephants were in the “Oasis.”

Night scene Old City during Jerusalem light festival

Some stores in the Old City were open

Street scene in Old City at night Jerusalem light festival

while some lanes were quiet.

Light at HaAhim Street in Old City for Jerusalem Light Festival

The “Journey into Space” on HaAhim Street,

was overhead, as the trail led to New Gate,

and out from the Old City Walls.

Jerusalem 2017 Light Festival Damascus Gate

Damascus Gate was much quieter than usual,

Across from Damascus Gate night of Light Festival

and across the road the area was much cleaner than in the past.

#39 listed on the program was

“Interactive shadows” in Zedekiah’s Cave.

Jerusalem light festival interactive in Zedekiah's Cave for Jerusalem Light Festival

It was hard to photograph,

image in Zedekiah Cave for Jerusalem Light Festival

as images changed with the movements of visitors.

Piano music at Jerusalem light festival in Zedekiah Cave

But as we walked further into the cave,

though it was hot and humid,

the music we were hearing along the way

was live from this pianist.

Though the month of Ramadan is over,

the lights strung for Ramadan were still up.

Jerusalem light festival night, view from Solomon's Stable

 Notre Dame was also visible in the distance

as we exited the cave, which is

also known as Solomon’s Stables,

and is located minutes away from the Damascus Gate.

This is the only time all year,

 I walk alone in the dark near Damascus Gate,

Jerusalem Israel Palm Trees "Horizontal INterference" Light Festival

and “Horizontal Interference” lit up the way through the palm trees.

A few minutes away at Zahal Square

Seesaws of various sizes with light and sound called Impulse at Zahal Square for Jerusalem Light Festival 2017

the “Impulse” seesaws were filled with enthusiastic young people.

The whole route takes at least 3 hours to complete.

With school over, and the festival going to July 6,

the size of the crowds have increased.

I like going on the first night and getting there early

before it gets crowded.

People looking at sign for fire and dance show Jerusalem Light Festival

This show with dancers using fire torches

and movement intrigued the audience.

But if you do not get to Jerusalem, Israel,

to see this Festival of Light in Jerusalem 2017,

  more photos here,

and take five minutes and enjoy this video

of the light projection on the Hurva Synagogue,