Jaffa Cultural Project Fosters Cross-Cultural Dialogue Through Art

A new artistic initiative in Jaffa, titled "Duet," brings together three pairs of creators to develop a shared artistic language that transcends linguistic and disciplinary boundaries. The project, partially funded by Mifal HaPayis through its "I Have an Idea" program, aims to create a space for dialogue and encounter through the creative process itself.

The program opens with "HAWA," a multicultural musical performance blending diverse traditions from the Levant with contemporary styles. It features songs in Arabic, Hebrew, English, and Spanish, under the direction of Idan Tolidano and with contributions from Marie Mense, Johanna Rytmuller, and Noa Vex.

The second work, "Street 60," combines spoken word in Arabic and Hebrew with traditional textile art. Artists Yehonatan Kunda and Yusra Ashour collaborate to tell a personal story that evolves into a narrative exploring Jaffa's history, present, personal memory, and collective tale, directed by Matan Shavit.

The third piece, "Everything on the Table," explores the relationship between the body and drawing through the collaboration of dancer Dua Bissis and painter Mauri Weitz. The performance examines the connection between movement and line, Arabic and Hebrew, proximity and distance, and competition and cooperation, with direction by Nitzan Neumann.

"Duet" emphasizes sustained collaboration over single performances, enabling artists to forge new artistic languages and experiment with inter-cultural and inter-lingual cooperation. The project aligns with the Mina Theater's ongoing mission to produce bilingual works that connect different communities through art.