15,000 people flock to largest Israeli cultural festival in Europe

Some 15,000 Londoners attended an Israeli event celebrating Israeli culture and diversity.

The largest Israeli cultural event in Europe, TLV in LDN, attracted some 15,000 people to the five-day event to celebrate Israeli culture and diversity in London.

The Israeli Ministry of Strategic Affairs and Public Diplomacy, the British Jewish community and the British Embassy in Israel hosted the event Sept. 7 – 11.

Some of Israel’s top female singers, including Ethiopian-Israeli Ester Rada, performed for hundreds of locals during Sunday’s celebration, under the theme “Woman in Power,” at the historic Roundhouse Music Hall in London.

“We came from Tel Aviv to bring you love,” said Rada, as she opened the evening before a soul music performance from Marina Maximilian Blumin.

Israeli-Arab singer Mira Awad also performed and sang in English, Hebrew and Arabic, with Yemenite-Israeli trio A-WA concluding the three-hour show with their performance.

Londoners Reveling in Israeli Culture

The festival saw some 15,000 Londoners revel in Israeli culture, fashion and cuisine. Locals enjoyed culinary workshops provided by Israeli master chefs, as well as performances from an eclectic group of 120 Israeli vocalists, and an LGBT party over the weekend.

The festival encountered some opposition, and saw some anti-Israel BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) protesters demonstrate at the event. An unusual scene unfolded when Israeli Chef Shaul Ben Aderet handed out sweets to the protesters, which had originally been prepared for festival attendees.

“Recently, thousands of Londoners have had the chance to experience Israeli culture, something which we can and should be proud of, especially in places where individuals try to portray [it] in a bad light,” said Israel’s Minister of Strategic Affairs and Public Diplomacy Gilad Erdan, who initiated the festival in collaboration with the British Jewish community.

By: JNS.org