Jaffa Port Hosts 11th Almina Festival with Kramel and Koolulam
The 11th Almina Festival in Jaffa Port will feature Kramel stars, Koolulam, and theatrical premieres in Hebrew and Arabic from December 3 to 5.
The 11th Almina Festival for Children's Theater will return to Jaffa Port from December 3 to 5, featuring performances by the stars of the hit children's series "Kramel", the musical collective Koolulam, and creator Renana Raz. Artistic directors Gidona Raz and Norman Issa have curated a diverse lineup featuring three premieres, performances in both Hebrew and Arabic, dance and circus acts, as well as free workshops and activities for the entire family against the backdrop of Hanukkah and Christmas celebrations.
One of the festival's main highlights will be a special panel with the young stars of "Kramel"—Yonatan Bar-Or, Lir Issa, and Omri Lix—scheduled for Saturday, December 5. The actors will talk to young fans about their work on set and share behind-the-scenes stories. That same day, Koolulam will present "Kingdom of Cacophonia", an interactive musical show where the audience helps residents of a fictional kingdom restore lost music to their lives. The program also features "Boogie Woogie" movement workshops created by Renana Raz and Elaya Shalit, held in Hebrew and Arabic to encourage emotional expression through body movement.
The Train Theater will perform the musical production "Aquakwudla", following two girls trapped in a classroom who turn it into an imaginative adventure. The festival will stage three major premieres: "Uncle Alon - Amu al-Asad", an Arabic adaptation of Yanetz Levy's beloved book series; "Hopla", an interactive slapstick show without words; and "Malala", an Arabic-language monodrama based on the life of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai, which will be presented in a closed screening for local school students.
Alongside the ticketed indoor shows, Jaffa Port will host a variety of outdoor activities open to the public free of charge, including street theater, circus acts, ecological art workshops, face-painting stations, and a special appearance by Santa Claus handing out chocolates. The festival runs from Thursday to Saturday at the Almina Theater and Warehouse 2 spaces, offering engaging cultural experiences for toddlers, children, and teenagers alike.
