2010/11/02

The Dona Gracia Festival for the Culture and Folklore of the Spanish Jewish Diaspora

http://festival-donagracia.info/pages/english.php?lang=EN

Tiberias, Israel
15-18th of November, 2010

The Dona Gracia Festival invites you to a moving 3 night and 4 day experience, where you will be swept away by the culture of the countries touched by Dona Gracia's thread of life: Portugal, Spain, Belgium, Italy, Greece, Turkey – and Tiberias, as well.

Festival Highlights:


Two great original productions in the new "Berku" Amphitheater, with esteemed artists and performers in a unique setting
A joyous festivity in the promenade
A sampling of activities - Fascinating meetings with Creators and Artists
Special lectures
Stories and narratives from Father's house
Dishes from Mom's kitchen
Secrets and mysteries of Tiberias - guided walking tour
Bus tours of the area
Tour of "The Dona Gracia Museum"
Sail on Sea of Galilee
And much more to come .....

Who was Dona Gracia?

Dona Gracia (nee Beatrice De Luna, or Hana Nasi in Hebrew) was the daughter of a Jewish family of "Conversos". By her thirties she grew to be a significant merchant, in fact, the richest woman in the 16th century world. As wealthy as she was, so were her deeds filled with generosity, as she dedicated herself to saving her expelled and persecuted brethren. With the blessing of the Turkish Sultan, Dona Gracia promoted and worked for the establishment of a Jewish state in Tiberias and environs. She built the walls of Tiberias, but her sudden death at the age of 59 brought an end to her remarkable Zionist initiative. For the occasion of her 500 anniversary, we are creating a new tradition: An Annual festival in her memory .

Contact:


The Dona Gracia Festival in Tiberias
Tel: 972-4-6728912, 1-800-88-88-58 , Fax: 972-4-6717059
festival@donagracia.com
"The Dona Gracia House" Museum, 3 Flowers Street, Tiberias Israel 14100