Jerusalem, Israel is once again hosting an international
festival of lights in The Old City.
Opening night attracted tens of thousands of people.
Young and old, foreign visitors,
and all of Jerusalem’s diverse population were represented.
Thousands had cameras, and countless
photographers were armed with tripods to get perfect night shots.
As usual the problem is deciding which trail to follow first.
I decided to start with the blue trail
which went through the streets of the Christian Quarter.
I want to share a few of my favorites.
So let’s start with
the impressive Israeli light display in the Cardo.
I confess that I had to consult my map on this one.
Heinz Kasper used plastic bottles in this piece which was displayed
in front of the Hurva Synagogue in the Rova, Jewish Quarter.
In another courtyard in the Rova,
the light displayed on this building along with music,
Ocubo’s Garden of our Dreams, from Portugal was popular.
The Israeli created changing colored lights with music
on the archeological park was impressive.
But nearby, as alway the Kotel, the Western Wall
lit at night was an impressive sight.
This moving ballerina was popular to video.
“Tree of LIfe” was displayed on Shar Shechem, Damascus Gate.
I thought the pinball machine there last year was more clever.
There were many light displays along the streets of the Old City,
and it is very hard to see all three trails in one night.
But I am so glad that friends told me not to miss the cave.
At the end of the green trail was Zedekiah’s Cave.
Deep under ground, from Holland was “Lotus Dome.”
However, the colored lights along the natural walls were stunning.
The Arab media was at Damascus Gate.
Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat was doing live radio from Jaffa Gate.
“Les Lumineoles” from France floated in the sky near Jaffa Gate,
with the illuminated walls of The Old City in the distance.
Jerusalem was a city of lights of the world to the world.
