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Piyut and Andalusian Music Center Launches 2026 'Shirat HaBakasot' Season
The ancient Moroccan and North African Jewish tradition of Shirat Ha'bakashot has commenced its 2026 season in Israel. The winter-long series of events, which blends liturgical poetry with Andalusian music, was launched by the Center for Piyut and Poetry in Ashdod with a festive concert at the Monart Cultural Center.
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What happened
- 01The 2026 season of Shirat Ha'bakashot, a centuries-old Moroccan Jewish musical tradition, has opened with a festive concert in Ashdod.
- 02The Center for Piyut and Poetry is organizing gatherings and concerts across Israel throughout the winter months.
- 03The tradition combines ancient liturgical poetry with Andalusian melodies, focusing on themes of faith, redemption, and Jerusalem.
- 04The opening concert at the Monart Cultural Center featured singers Menor Ben David, Shlomi Lugasi, Yaakov Ben Adiba, Yonatan Chuta, and Raz Elbaz.
- 05Maestro Elad Levi served as the musical director for the opening event, which blended traditional repertoire with orchestral arrangements.
- 06The season will culminate on Shabbat Zachor with a grand finale concert at the Ashdod Performing Arts Center.
- 07The final concert will feature renowned singers Moshe Louk, Benjamin Bouzaglo, Mani Cohen, and Gabriel Ohayon under the artistic direction of Rabbi Mordechai Azran.
Historically, the tradition involved communities gathering before dawn on winter Sabbaths to sing prayers and supplications focusing on faith, redemption, and yearning for Jerusalem. The modern revival aims to preserve this spiritual and musical heritage, connecting ancient traditions with contemporary Israeli culture and passing them on to younger generations.
The opening concert in Ashdod featured piyut singers Menor Ben David, Shlomi Lugasi, Yaakov Ben Adiba, Yonatan Chuta, and Raz Elbaz, performing under the musical direction of Maestro Elad Levi. Throughout the winter, gatherings will take place across the country, organized by the center, which was founded in 1988 to promote piyut, cantorial chanting, and Andalusian music.
The season is scheduled to conclude on Shabbat Zachor with a major closing concert at the Ashdod Performing Arts Center. This final performance, under the artistic direction of Rabbi Mordechai Azran, will feature prominent piyut singers Moshe Louk, Benjamin Bouzaglo, Mani Cohen, and Gabriel Ohayon.
Summarized by baba from the reports of 3 newsrooms. Updated
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