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,

13 thoughts on “Jerusalem Light Festival in Old City

Leave a Reply to Carole Brenner Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.