While most foreign embassies and diplomatic missions in Taiwan celebrate their national days with cocktail receptions or banquets, the Israeli Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei has chosen to present a series of cultural events to mark the 60th anniversary of the State of Israel.
Raphael Gamzou, Israeli representative to Taiwan, said the events would give Taiwanese a taste of Israeli culture.
"We attach a great deal of importance to the exposure of Israeli creativity and novelty in Taiwan, not only through our cutting-edge high technology, but through artistic expressions and cultural events," Gamzou said.
The State of Israel was founded in 1948 after millions of Jews died in the Holocaust during World War II.
Ahead of the anniversary celebrations, an exhibition entitled The 60th Anniversary of Israel -- Birth of a State: Photo Exhibitions of Paul Goldman and David Rubinger & the Art of Design: Dan Reisinger was launched at the Taipei Fine Arts Museum (TFAM) on March 13. The exhibition features photographs that document key moments in Israel's history, as seen through the lens of two photo journalists.
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A performance choreographed by Yossi Berg and Oded Graf, Israeli resident artists at the Taipei Artist Village, was staged on Saturday.
Starting on Thursday, a contemporary version of Sophocles' Antigone, a joint production by the Israeli Habima National Theater and Hkameri Tel-Aviv Municipal Theater that has already earned great acclaim in Israel and elsewhere, will be staged at the International Theater Festival at the National Theater at National Taiwan Democracy Memorial Hall in Taipei.
Gamzou said Beaufort, which was nominated for the best foreign film award at the Oscars, would be screened in Taipei next month.
In May, virtuoso percussionist "Percaduo" will take part in a percussion festival at National Concert Hall, while a photographic exhibition and concerts by violinist Maurice Sklar from the US are planned for Tainan.
An installation by the multi-disciplined "Zik" artists group will be loaned on a long-term basis to the Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts, Gamzou said.
In June, the Taipei International Film Festival, organized by the Taipei City Government's cultural affairs department, will focus on Israeli movies. The "first lady of Israeli cinema," actress Gila Almagor, will be the festival's guest of honor.
Last but not least, Gamzou said, the Efroni Children's Choir will perform at the International Choir Festival organized by the Taipei Philharmonic Foundation for Culture and Education in August.
"We are happy and grateful to all the local cultural institutions and venues that collaborate with us so enthusiastically, helping us introduce important aspects of our reality to the Taiwanese public," Gamzou said.
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