The Jerusalem Knights Festival is back again in the Old City.
Since attending the Jerusalem Knights first night,
I have tried to return each year to see what is new and different.
These trumpets and trumpeters greeted visitors
as they approached the Walls of the Old City at the Jaffa Gate.
Upon entering Jaffa Gate
the plaza was filled with dancing-girls and spectators.
Many actors were positioned along the route,
but this gladiator with his cell phone has to be my favorite photo.
Some costumes were unusual,
and others like these Medieval fashion show costumes
were hard to see, as crowds blocked the view of the stage.
Young children on shoulders have a distinct advantage at this event.
However, this man with a lit torch on top of the walls was easy to see,
everyone who looked up could see the fire show.
Many performances, like this clown act and jugglers,
entertained the thousands of young children who attended.
The route this year was both through and around the Armenian Quarter,
sparing the residents of the Christian and Jewish Quarters
the noise of four consecutive Thursday nights,
with thousands of people outside their windows late into the night.
These photo-ops were not just for the kids.
Medieval musical instruments
were featured at more than one site.
Movies screened on the walls of the Old City in Gan Habonim
could never have been predicted by Medieval seers.
There were live shows with plenty of tacky costumes,
but beautiful real horses.
There were also knights in not-so shining armor jousting,
colorful lights, the Gravita aerial-acrobats,
and a Knights’ Pub with a bar with real wine.
Though there are those who oppose the idea,
once again thousands and thousands of people
were out on the Jerusalem, Israel, streets, enjoying the experience.
The last night of Knights, is Thursday night, November 21.
