middle east current events – Page 66 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

Jerusalem: Old, New, Constantly Changing

August 31, 2016rjstreets

Jerusalem, old and new and constantly changing,

has been a constant theme

throughout the years at Real J Streets.

Once a derelict No Man’s Land,

a bullet-holed war zone between 1948-1967,

now Mamilla Mall is a huge success story.

Thousands of people come to shop and eat daily.

Often the parking lots are so full

that traffic backs up and honking cars are the norm.

On King George Street,

this abandoned building

has been an eyesore for years and a home to squatters.

But in Jerusalem what a difference a month makes–

now it is gone!

A white construction fence has appeared in its place,

which surrounds extensive excavation work.

From one opening,

you can see the Great Synagogue across

King George Street and the dome of Heichal Shlomo.

Work on the future Knesset Museum is

hidden behind these huge tarp coverings.

The difference that has occurred in a month

to the future We Work offices

at the old Mashbir site is obvious.

On the downtown Jerusalem streets,

change can be seen not only looking up,

but also be sure and look down.

Artists have produced new works

on mats laid down in busy plaza areas.

For the best angle from which to appreciate this street art

you have to take the time and stop.

Not enough?

Signs are up at Beit Avi Chai advertising

neighborhood tours with story-telling.

Gan Haatzmaut, Independence Park,

has been a construction site all week.

But the barriers and the large stage to be built there for

the annual Beer Festival are only temporary.

However,

as always the end of August,

the biggest deal on the Jerusalem streets

is the first day of school tomorrow.

For working parents, childcare

during the last two weeks of summer vacation

is often provided by grandparents and friends.

But, those without children also appreciate start of school,

as children were often brought to offices,

banks and many parents’ workplaces.

News outlets have started their annual interviews.

Yikes, now there are songs about school on radio.

The Prime Minister, President and mayors

will go to be photographed in a classroom.

I love how starting Kita Aleph, first grade,

is such a huge event in Israel.

Wishing all a good

and successful new school year.

Jerusalem International Arts and Crafts Fair

August 24, 2016rjstreets

No matter how you spell it,

Khutsot Hayotser or Hutzot Hayozer,

the annual Jerusalem International Arts & Crafts Festival

is a huge end-of-summer Jerusalem, Israel event.

It fills the Mitchell Garden,

with a massive stage and seating in the Sultan’s Pool,

and bustling alleyways in the Artists’ Colony.

Arriving before sunset,

the Tower of David can be seen in the background,

above the booths where 200 local artisans

display their works for sale.

For over 40 years,

a night-time Israeli family-fun tradition,

showcasing a wide variety of art forms.

At the extensive food court,

it is hard not to find some unusual and new food to sample.

Glass and wood, leather and ceramics, and metal work

are featured popular craft items.

This year, workshops were offered

by the Bezalel “White House” project,

organized by the Bezalel Academy of Art and Design,

with opportunities to learn from

talented students of the design school and purchase their handiwork.

But this festival is international too,

with exhibitors from Argentina and Armenia,

to Uzbekistan and Zimbabwe,

with Madagascar

and Mexico in between,

plus Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.

At one of several booths for Chinese wares,

there were smiles for photos,

while a llama stood on guard for Peru.

These Korean dolls were colorful and delicate.

Entertainment specially designed for children

and some shows to complicated to explain

went on after dark and well into the night.

In addition,

every night, popular Israel musical acts

filled the huge Sultan Pool stage.

Every night tens of thousands of Israelis

celebrate the end of summer in Jerusalem, Israel at the fair.

Jerusalem Festival Season in Full Swing

August 17, 2016rjstreets

The end of August, Tisha B’Av is over,

and Jerusalem festival season is in full swing.

While the Festival Ha’ira is still popular,

there is an annual Klezemer Festival,

and this sign is for new arts festival.

Walking by the Liberty Bell Park,

I was not only one scratching my head.

What was that thing in the park?

Train Theater has its annual Puppet Festival.

People were lined up to enter,

but something new lined the fence.

Inspired by the Prague Zoo,

posters by Michal Cihlar, a Czech Republic artist,

“Zoooo – You Wouldn’t have a clue?”

included a hoopoe, Israeli’s national bird.

While across the road in Bloomfield Gardens,

near the Montefiore Windmill,

was “Macbeth in Motion.”

Over the next two weeks,

audiences in the park can appreciate Shakespeare,

but be warned do not get too comfortable,

the audience changes locations 5 times.

Where else can you hear the Bard of Avon with this backdrop?

Nearby, also these last two weeks of August,

is Khutsot Hayotser,

the annual international arts and crafts fair,

with its concerts in Sultan’s Pool.

It is so huge,

I will save those photos for another time.

Since it opened and all summer long.

families have come to Teddy Park.

Children love to run in the fountain.

Lights and music at night,

with the water pressure changing,

what a way to cool off and have fun, and its free.

With the walls of the Old City in the background,

location is a bonus also.

The Beer and Wine Festivals are still to come.

But meanwhile with Tu B’Av parties and weddings,

it is hard to keep up with all the good things

happening on the Jerusalem, Israel streets.