Embassy of the State of Israel in Croatia invited all Zagreb citizens and visitors to enjoy Israeli  culture and art from May 25 – 30, 2013.

Cultural event "ISRAEL IN ZAGREB" brought Israeli films, dance performances, cuisine, classical music and exhibition show.

READ THE PROGRAM



MAY 30, 2013: SHEKETAK Dance Group showed Zagreb audience, gathered at main square "Trg bana Jelačića" how to combine live music, dance , rhythm and lots of energy!






MAY 30 - JUNE 6: WEEK OF ISRAELI CUISINE at Le Bistro Restaurant, Hotel Esplanade
Chef Shaul Ben Aderet together with the Chefs of Le Bistro, prepared a special menu to share the tastes, colors and scents of the Israeli Mediterranean Cuisine.





MAY 29, 2013: EXHIBITION OF MELITA KRAUS at Hotel Esplanade
Her artistic creations rest on the richness of various influences - literary, religious, mythological, historical, musical, traditional and modern, eastern and western.



MAY 28, 2013: Brilliant performance by the Israeli Philharmonic String Quartet at Preporodna dvorana:




(Photo: The Israel Philharmonic String Quartet at Preporodna dvorana, May 28, 2013)





MAY 27, 2013: "MEHOLA" Dance Group entchanted the audience gathered at Zagreb's main square Trg bana Jelačića. MEHOLA presented the unique characteristics of the Israeli folklore with beautiful authentic costumes and a superior performing quality.

SUNDAY, MAY 26: "CERBERUS" AT CROATIAN NATIONAL THEATRE

On the second day of the "Israel in Zagreb" culture event, the audience enjoyed dance performance "Cerberus" by Fresco Dance Company (Choreography: Yoram Karmi) brought to Zagreb in cooperation with Contemporary Dance Week.

"Cerberus" corresponds with the Greek mythology stories and shows the audience the mythical and imaginary world.

FROM THE PRESS: (From the article published by weekly AKTUAL on May 15th, 2013):

"Prominent Israeli dance company for the first time in Zagreb"
"As part of the cultural event "Israel in Zagreb", Zagreb audience will see the performance of Fresco dance troop led by Yoram Karmi".

"In the past few years, Fresco Dance Group has been recognized as the leader of international dance scene".
"It is no exaggeration to say that they are a rare bright point on the map of the international dance scene."

(Photo: "Cerberus" in HNK Zagreb, May 26, 2013)

(Photo: Choreographer Yoram Karmi with his dancers, Croatian National Theatre, May 26^th 2013)

MAY 25TH: Official opening of the "ISRAEL IN ZAGREB" culture event  in Movie Theatre EUROPA:

Ambassador Amrani:
OPENING SPEECH
(May 25th, Kino Europa)

Good evening,

Welcome to “Izrael u Zagrebu” a festival of culture, a celebration of friendship and cooperation.

I am honored to open tonight Israel days in the Capital City of Croatia on these eventful and historic days, before Croatia’s accession to the EU as the 28^th member country/state of the Union. May this week of festivities be Israel’s offering, a gesture of amity to Croatia upon achieving this important cause and joining the European Union, where it belongs.

This week will bring the best Israel has to offer on the rich mosaic of culture arena; movies, modern dance, classical music, Israeli fusion food, folk dance and the amazing performance of Sheketak. We are proud of our rich cultural life, the creativity of generations of young Israelis who reflect in their artistic work our roots, historic, religious and geographic while corresponding with the international language of art and culture. No country should have a bigger pride than the treasure of art and culture and the joy enfolded.

This week is the result of a labor of love, the embassy staff’s together with our many partners. First and foremost, the City of Zagreb and Mayor Milan Bandic. Through our ongoing fruitful cooperation we bring this week and hope and wish it will yield fruits of understanding, mutual respect, tolerance and cooperation between cultures, peoples and countries. It is my honor to acknowledge the support we receive from our different sponsors, Teva-Pliva, one of the leading industries in Croatia which is a part of the Israel based pharmaceutical Teva, PBZ, Vecernji list, and of course our personal supporters IM&C marketing who day in-day out volunteer their professionalism and expertise to promote our shared values and strengthen the foundations of Croatia-Israel partnership.

As I stand here tonight with all of you, friends and colleagues and guests in attendance, I would like to reiterate the friendship between our two countries and Israel’s commitment to strengthen the relations on all levels and aspects. I hope the future brings successful cooperation and joint ventures in economy, education, science, research and culture.

Tonight is a special night, a night of opening of a week which also commemorates a significant date, Israel’s 65^th Independence Day which was officially marked a month ago. As we gather here tonight and every evening this week we will celebrate the so many achievements of sovereignty, freedom and Independence of Israel.

We chose to open “Israel Days in Zagreb” with a gesture to Israel cinematography, a vibrant and fruitful industry and one of its leading directors, Shemi Zarhin and his movie  “The world is funny”. This comic drama taking place in the northern City of Tiberias, on the lake of Kinneret; Sea of Galilee, tells the story of people in so many different venues all over the world while the unique background of Tiberias and Israel is always present placing a reflecting mirror to our life and challenges. The late movie, “Out in the dark” is a love story, not an impossible one though provoking, providing a glance to the political realities in our region with a pray and hope that love will finally overcome.

With this, I wish you a great evening and every evening throughout the week in the many different venues we will celebrate. Let the party begin!  

Enjoy. 

(Photo: Ambassador Amrani, Mayor of Zagreb, Mr. Milan Bandić, Mrs. Kolić (IM&C), Kino Europa, May 25th 2013.)

Audience had a chance to see and enjoy 2 Israeli movies. At 19 hrs Shemi Zarhin's movie "The world is funny" brought the story of one family, one city and one world.

Later, at 21.30, Michael Mayer's drama "Out in the dark"  showed us the emotional, human toll of the Israel – Palestine conflict trough love between two young men. 

Director and writer of the movie ''The world is funny'', Mr. Shemi Zarhin arrived to Zagreb to watch the screening and to answer the questions of the audience.

Press Conference was held on May 21, 2013:

(Esplanade Hotel Zagreb)

"The Israeli Culture Week will take place in Zagreb on May 25-30 to bring closer the culture, customs and magic of Israel to the Croatian public, the organiser of the event, the Israeli Embassy, announced on Tuesday".