By Anne Pabion
The normally quiet and dim Old/Walled City of Jerusalem was enveloped by bright and illuminating artworks for the Festival of Lights which took place in mid-June (11-19). Now on its fourth (4th) year, this is one of an elite group of festivals held around the world. Artists from all-over the world joined the festival as they displayed their creativity and wonderful works through artistic light designs. The festival aims to bring people to old Jerusalem in the evening and create a new venue for tourism.
An Argentine-born Israeli named Eduardo Hubscher is the festival’s founder and artistic director, who said that the festival tries to steer clear of political messages and it is a collaborative effort by Christians, Jews and Muslims, mounted in parts of the Old City which is home to these three religions.
Mayor of Jerusalem, Nir Barkat, aims to turn the city into a world-class tourist destination.
The festival is an initiative of the Jerusalem Development Authority in cooperation with the Ministry for Jerusalem and Diaspora Affairs, the Ministry of Tourism and the Jerusalem Municipality, and produced by Ariel Municipal Company.
Tourists, locals and people from all over Israel flocked the city at night to witness the beautiful and amazing display of lights, roaming through the picturesque illuminated alleys with breathtaking works of arts from Israel and abroad. There were also three-dimensional artistic displays and huge video projections on landmark Old City buildings and walls.
