Mayor Shuki Ohana emphasizes that “it is a city of culture and entertainment” and adds that he decided to expand the cultural basket in this city by celebrating many new events throughout the year. Therefore, together with the much anticipated Klezmer Festival, which attracts many visitors every year, this year for the first time the ” Djudeo-Espanyol Festival” will be held, with the participation of the best artists in this field. The artist Guy Zuaretz, currently considered also one of the main Djudeo-Espanyol artists, is the artistic director. There will be three full days of events that include shows, children’s events, free visits, lectures and even a culinary flavor of traditional Djudeo-Espanyol cuisine. The festival will take place between the 16th and the 18th of July….

Yasmin Levy, an important Israeli singer who embarks on interesting artistic activities, which are very popular in Israel and around the world. We believe is the first lady of the Djudeo-Espanyol song and has a wide repertoire of songs in Spanish. Pablo Rozenberg an Israeli artist of Argentine origin is on the list of the most acclaimed national singers, invited to all the major musical festivals of the country, is one of the favorites of a very large audience and of all ages. There will also be Mosh Ben Ari, Trifonas, Jani Nachmías and others.

The mayor emphasizes for those who still do not know that the Djudeo-Espanyol language was a central part of Safed’s culture. The Djudeo-Espanyol origin in a Spanish Castilian dialect of the 15th century, in which the Jews of Spain spoke. Elements of the Hebrew language were incorporated into the local language after the expulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1492 dispersed throughout the Ottoman Empire, turning the Djudeo-Espanyol into a separate Jewish language with which the Jews spoke throughout the world.

The beautiful city of Safed stands out for many cultural, religious and tourist reasons, but also in summer it is a great attraction because of its location has the coolest climate in the country.

According to the story in Safed, they spoke and lived in Djudeo-Espanyol, through poetry, liturgical poems in synagogues, clothing, culinary and the culture of life in general. Therefore, Mayor Shuki Ohana decided to revive the ancient tradition and return the city of Safed to its roots through a colorful three-day international festival full of Djudeo-Espanyol. With a program of guided tours, synagogue activities, performances in various stages throughout the city, conferences and authentic cuisine. It opens a special area that will offer Djudeo-Espanyol cuisine based on cheese, vegetables and meats. Also in all Safed restaurants you will find the festival a culinary celebration, all in the spirit of Spain and Greece: burekitas, kelassons, Balkan pie muffins and more.