05-15-2008, 04:42 PM
The month of May sees the beginning of a year of celebrations for Israel as they commemorate 60 years as an independent state. The activities promise to result in one of the most joyous birthday celebrations since the first one on May 14, 1948 — a date marked each year in Israel by the Hebrew calendar. The celebrations were kicked off last week with a countrywide series of firework, laser and light shows. The 12-minute spectacles lit up the skies above Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa, Ashdod, Netanya, Beersheba, Tiberias and Eilat.
![[Image: jazz.israel.350.jpg]](http://www.global-travels.net/images/jazz.israel.350.jpg)
Whilst a number of activities are taking place in the month of May, there are events taking place throughout the year and we’ve outlined the pick of the bunch below. With the anniversary celebrations taking place and the recently launched cheap flights from BMI and Thomsonfly, there has never been a better time to visit Israel.
Violins of Hope Concert – Jerusalem, September
In celebration of Israel’s 60th anniversary, the famed orchestras of Istanbul, Turkey and Raanana, Israel, will reunite by the ancient walls of Jerusalem’s Old City for a once-in-a-lifetime concert featuring talented violinists from around the world and conducted by the incomparable Maestro Shlomo Mintz.
The concert will include violins that were found almost totally destroyed in liberated camps and empty ghettos at the end of World War II. One by one, the violins have been brought back to life and, for the first time after more than 60 years of silence, they will be played under the starry Jerusalem skies.
The majestic Old City walls will come alive with thousands of lights synchronized to the violin music, generating an unprecedented surrealistic image of hope and peace.
Celebrities from around the world, along with a privileged audience of 3,000, will bear witness to this celebration of music, history and survival. The proceeds from the Violins of Hope concert will be donated in full to social and humanitarian projects in Israel
Date: September 24th
Location: Jerusalem
The Red Sea Jazz Festival – Eilat, August
The Red Sea Jazz Festival is the major jazz event in the Middle East, attracting a host of top performers to Eilat every year and 2008’s festival has attracted more acts than ever, some of whom are visiting for the first time in honour of the country’s 60th anniversary of independence.
The festival attracts around 40,000 people and features more than 30 concerts over the four days, staged in four open-air venues, with the Red Sea and the surrounding mountains as a magnificent backdrop. The famous night-time jam sessions continue until dawn at the poolside of the Riviera Hotel. Eilat is Israel's southernmost city, situated on a triangle created by the joining of the Sinai Mountains, the Arava desert and the blue waters of the Red Sea.
Date: August 25th-28th
Location: Eilat
Jazz Festival at the Caesarea Harbor, June 2008
New Orleans is coming to Israel this summer meaning you can experience an unforgettable jazz experience at the Caesarea Harbor. Three world-renowned jazz bands will be coming to the ancient port to perform at the harbor built by Herod on a background of blue sea and red sunsets. This year there will be a special emphasis on large ensembles known for their electrifying music, bringing authentic New Orleans sounds from the early ‘20s to Caesarea.
Date: June 12th–June 14th
Location: Caesarea
Walk around the Sea of Galilee (Kinneret Trail)
The 60th Anniversary Administration and the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel (SPNI) is investing time and funds to create a 60 km long path which will integrate with existing trails and interconnect the various tourist attractions dispersed around the Sea.
The purpose of the foot path is to enable every one to get close to the Sea and to walk along the entire shoreline. Existing trails, cut and cultivated by thousands of young volunteers over the years, have been linked together to open up beaches that had been closed off to the public for a long time, and is gradually enabling hiking around the Sea of Galilee on foot.
In marking Israel's 60th anniversary, the hope is that development of the foot path will help to restore the Sea of Galilee to its rightful place as Israel's national sea and as a source of attraction for Israel's nature lovers and hikers.
In addition to the 60th anniversary celebrations, there are many other events occurring throughout the year for tourists and residents alike:
International Film Festival - Jerusalem, July
This is a major international film festival featuring a broad spectrum of movies from all around the world. The opening film in the festival is traditionally an outdoor gala screening in the Sultan’s Pool (‘Brechat Hasultan’), next to the old city walls.
Date: July 10-19, 2008
Location: Jerusalem
Wine Festival in the Israel Museum – Jerusalem, July
Wine and art meet in the Israel Museum. Guests are invited to taste Over 150 different wine types, presented by 30 selected Israeli wineries + wine and cocktail workshops and jazz music.
Date: July 10-19, 2008
Location: Jerusalem
Guided Tours Marathon – Jerusalem, June
A weekend featuring dozens of guided tours and special events. Marking the 12th year of this tradition and Israel’s 60th birthday
Date: June 5th-8th, 2008
Location: Jerusalem
:tourist:
Whilst a number of activities are taking place in the month of May, there are events taking place throughout the year and we’ve outlined the pick of the bunch below. With the anniversary celebrations taking place and the recently launched cheap flights from BMI and Thomsonfly, there has never been a better time to visit Israel.
Violins of Hope Concert – Jerusalem, September
In celebration of Israel’s 60th anniversary, the famed orchestras of Istanbul, Turkey and Raanana, Israel, will reunite by the ancient walls of Jerusalem’s Old City for a once-in-a-lifetime concert featuring talented violinists from around the world and conducted by the incomparable Maestro Shlomo Mintz.
The concert will include violins that were found almost totally destroyed in liberated camps and empty ghettos at the end of World War II. One by one, the violins have been brought back to life and, for the first time after more than 60 years of silence, they will be played under the starry Jerusalem skies.
The majestic Old City walls will come alive with thousands of lights synchronized to the violin music, generating an unprecedented surrealistic image of hope and peace.
Celebrities from around the world, along with a privileged audience of 3,000, will bear witness to this celebration of music, history and survival. The proceeds from the Violins of Hope concert will be donated in full to social and humanitarian projects in Israel
Date: September 24th
Location: Jerusalem
The Red Sea Jazz Festival – Eilat, August
The Red Sea Jazz Festival is the major jazz event in the Middle East, attracting a host of top performers to Eilat every year and 2008’s festival has attracted more acts than ever, some of whom are visiting for the first time in honour of the country’s 60th anniversary of independence.
The festival attracts around 40,000 people and features more than 30 concerts over the four days, staged in four open-air venues, with the Red Sea and the surrounding mountains as a magnificent backdrop. The famous night-time jam sessions continue until dawn at the poolside of the Riviera Hotel. Eilat is Israel's southernmost city, situated on a triangle created by the joining of the Sinai Mountains, the Arava desert and the blue waters of the Red Sea.
Date: August 25th-28th
Location: Eilat
Jazz Festival at the Caesarea Harbor, June 2008
New Orleans is coming to Israel this summer meaning you can experience an unforgettable jazz experience at the Caesarea Harbor. Three world-renowned jazz bands will be coming to the ancient port to perform at the harbor built by Herod on a background of blue sea and red sunsets. This year there will be a special emphasis on large ensembles known for their electrifying music, bringing authentic New Orleans sounds from the early ‘20s to Caesarea.
Date: June 12th–June 14th
Location: Caesarea
Walk around the Sea of Galilee (Kinneret Trail)
The 60th Anniversary Administration and the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel (SPNI) is investing time and funds to create a 60 km long path which will integrate with existing trails and interconnect the various tourist attractions dispersed around the Sea.
The purpose of the foot path is to enable every one to get close to the Sea and to walk along the entire shoreline. Existing trails, cut and cultivated by thousands of young volunteers over the years, have been linked together to open up beaches that had been closed off to the public for a long time, and is gradually enabling hiking around the Sea of Galilee on foot.
In marking Israel's 60th anniversary, the hope is that development of the foot path will help to restore the Sea of Galilee to its rightful place as Israel's national sea and as a source of attraction for Israel's nature lovers and hikers.
In addition to the 60th anniversary celebrations, there are many other events occurring throughout the year for tourists and residents alike:
International Film Festival - Jerusalem, July
This is a major international film festival featuring a broad spectrum of movies from all around the world. The opening film in the festival is traditionally an outdoor gala screening in the Sultan’s Pool (‘Brechat Hasultan’), next to the old city walls.
Date: July 10-19, 2008
Location: Jerusalem
Wine Festival in the Israel Museum – Jerusalem, July
Wine and art meet in the Israel Museum. Guests are invited to taste Over 150 different wine types, presented by 30 selected Israeli wineries + wine and cocktail workshops and jazz music.
Date: July 10-19, 2008
Location: Jerusalem
Guided Tours Marathon – Jerusalem, June
A weekend featuring dozens of guided tours and special events. Marking the 12th year of this tradition and Israel’s 60th birthday
Date: June 5th-8th, 2008
Location: Jerusalem
:tourist: