Miki Peled, Legendary Israeli Producer and Founder of Festigal, Passes Away at 87

Miki Peled, the iconic Israeli producer and founder of the annual Festigal children's musical show, passed away at the age of 87. His funeral is scheduled for Tuesday at 4:00 PM at the cemetery in Kiryat Shaul. Peled was widely celebrated for his visionary work in Israeli entertainment, earning a lifetime achievement award from ACUM, the Israeli composers' and songwriters' association.

Peled's son and partner, Yaron Peled, described him as more than a producer, emphasizing his ability to dream, recognize talent, and inspire belief in others. Numerous artists and collaborators paid tribute to Peled's unique influence. Singer Tal Mosseri recalled Peled as a father figure who opened the door for him to perform on Festigal's prestigious stage. Director Hanokh Rozen highlighted Peled's creativity, courage, and ability to transform dreams into reality, noting their 20-year collaboration on Festigal productions.

Other notable figures, including Hani Nahmias, Tzipi Shavit, Michal Yanai, and Yael Bar Zohar, praised Peled's dedication to creating large-scale, family-friendly shows that captivated generations. Yanai recounted how Peled recognized her potential early on and changed the Israeli music scene by introducing new styles to Festigal.

Born in Romania in 1939, Peled immigrated to Israel in 1948. He served as an electronics technician in the Israeli Air Force and co-founded the band Tizmoret HaAlizim. After military service, he worked various jobs before dedicating himself to the entertainment industry. In the 1970s, he studied artist management in the United States and later established "Solan," one of Israel's leading talent agencies. Peled also produced major shows, including Hasidic music festivals and children's performances.

His greatest legacy remains Festigal, which he launched in 1981 and which continues to be a beloved annual event during Hanukkah. Peled described Festigal as a way to stay connected to childhood and called producing it a special talent and mission. He is survived by his wife Tami, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.