Major Jewish Culture Festival titled “Oy Vey” was held in St. Petersburg on August 25. For one day the guests of the new city landmark SEVKABEL PORT were transported to the market and streets of Tel Aviv: they tasted authentic Israeli food, listened to fiery music, met with the most interesting media persons of the city, attended various workshops and got acquainted with Jewish traditions and modern culture of Israel.
Organizers of the festival were HILLEL Jewish Center in St. Petersburg, with generous support by the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress, and the LIGHT MUSIC concert agency, which was also responsible for the festival’s music program.
The music program featured MALABI TROPICAL band, Israelis who have been wandering on a non-stop music tour since 2014. They fused Latin rhythms and Jewish melodies into a unique tropical rock. From street parties to the major festivals of Eurasia no one could resist their live performance! The MALABI TROPICAL was joined by St. Petersburg GOODNIGHT group of street musicians that for 20 years have been second to none in presenting Jewish folklore and Odessa songs. During their performances, even the most modest and intellectual spectators turned into musicians and dancers, and with each song the revelry flared up more and more.
The idea of the festival is to imbue every guest with the atmosphere of Tel Aviv, the most vibrant city of Israel. Here they sold sweets, there jewelry was on sale, around the corner a café was wide open, and right opposite it musicians played. And how could one do without street artists, travelers, rabbis, artisans and other colorful characters? Every one of them shared his or her story, while guests could get acquainted with the new culture in the fascinating festival format.
The festival program included:
- Food court where the best Jewish restaurants of the city were present
- Presentations by rabbis and official representatives of Israel in Russia, as well as by street artists, travelers, guides, and cooks
- Children’s playroom
- STEREOLETO and PARTS OF THE WORLD festivals’ organizers were responsible for the music program.
- Market of Jewish designers from Israel and Russia
- Workshops: henna drawings on the palms, a traditional ceremony of Yemeni Jews; different folk dances; cooking of Israeli street food
- Contemporary Israeli artists and photographers exhibition
