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The Holiday of Holidays is an annual celebration of the religious and cultural diversity of the city of Haifa in the north of Israel which takes place every year in December. The cities’ residents who have Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Druze or Baha’i roots live peacefully side by side and represent a wonderful success story of coexistence.
The festival is an initiative of Beit Hagefen – an Arabic-Jewish cultural centre – and Haifa Municipality and aims to cultivate and advance tolerance and mutual respect through culture, art & food. It attracts thousands of visitors yearly and is being organised now for the 24th time. Elaborate displays of holiday lights, symbols, decorated churches and the glowing Baha'i Temple the city is famous for, will make even the biggest Grinch surrender to the holiday spirit.
“A true coming together of Haifa's diverse communities, the Holiday of the Holidays features an outdoor carnival, fairs, food tastings and concerts in Wadi Nisnas and the German Colony, to celebrate the season's Jewish, Christian and Muslim festivals.” Lonely Planet
“Celebrate the best of all worlds at Haifa's Holiday of Holidays Festival this December” Time Out
“This festival has come to stand for coexistence and multiculturalism.” Jerusalem Post
“‘Holiday of Holidays’ activities are held during the weekends, and they symbolize the values of coexistence, living together in peace and harmony, and mutual respect of all six religions in the city, joining the residents’ lives and fate together. Gotta love the concept!” igoogledIsrael
Main events of this year’s celebration include:
· A Festive Christmas Procession: Follow the local Santa Claus, as he leads you through Haifa’s Christian-Arab cultural enclave, past the colorful market, and street vendors selling homecooked food, and treats. Pass churches and view the neighborhood’s festive decorations along the way.
· Haifa and the holiday lights: A one-two punch of multicultural understanding, through a first-hand look at three faiths, and how their winter celebrations connect and intertwine, in a local synagogue, mosque, and church. The tour concludes with guide Ghada Boulos’ musical performance of holiday songs.
· Dabke Party: Arabic folk dancing lesson and public dance party, including two professional Dabke dance troupes, Haifa Drummers Company, and an 8-piece Arabic musical ensemble.
· The Djamshid Sisters: Modern Israeli folk duo and songstresses with voices of angels, in concert.
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