After 17 years, the Manofim Festival continues to prove that Jerusalem can be a dynamic city for the arts. This year, the festival returns under the theme "Extreme Point" — a title especially fitting for a time when the unusual has become the norm and the extreme has become routine.
The festival will take place from July 22–26 across various locations in Jerusalem, with the official launch of the new cultural complex “BUSTANA” on the rooftop of the Artists’ Studios in Talpiot.
Opening the festival is the Israeli-international band Orphaned Land, returning to Jerusalem after a decade. The band, known for blending Middle Eastern metal with messages of peace, will perform at the new BUSTANA venue on July 22.
On July 23, Roy Rik will premiere his new album with a debut performance featuring Tomer Yןshayahu and Daniel Rubin. That same evening, Idit Mintzer will present a musical-poetic performance at the Ticho House.
TATRAN, winner of the 2024 Grammy Award, will close the festival with a performance on Saturday night, July 26. The instrumental power trio promises a show that fuses rock, modern jazz, and classical music.
Beyond Music
The festival features a wide range of exhibitions and interdisciplinary performances. One highlight is The Jackal — a video, painting, light, and sound performance by Efrat Gal-Nur and Alona Friedberg, combining deepfake algorithms with ancient cyclograms.
In the realm of theater, Four Beginnings and One Ending presents a radical experiment: Four artists will each present the beginning of a show without any commitment to continue it, while one artist will present an ending to a show that doesn’t exist.
One of the standout events is a "Sunset-to-Night Rave" on Friday, hosted by the Jerusalem collective The Saga, featuring a 360-degree stage.
Family and children’s activities also play a central role, including Below Zero, a circus-style performance by Naaman Shelzer, as well as creative workshops. A family day ticket costs NIS 35 and includes a tour, workshop, and show.
Manofim Festival was founded 17 years ago by artists Leehee Shulov and Rinat Edelstein. It is an independent initiative that grew from the grassroots and brings together dozens of galleries and cultural institutions with hundreds of artists and creators.
The annual theme Extreme Point reflects the current Israeli reality, but also expresses a desire to continue creating and expressing artistically despite the challenges.
The festival offers a unique Jerusalem experience, including guided gallery tours, visits to artists' studios, and the discovery of new places in the city. It’s an opportunity to see Jerusalem through the eyes of artists and creators.