The 33rd Storytellers Festival: A Grand Event for Chol HaMoed Sukkot
The 33rd Storytellers Festival, managed by Yossi Alfi, will take place during Chol HaMoed Sukkot at the Givatayim Theater. The program includes historical panels, personal encounters, and musical performances.
The 33rd Storytellers Festival, under the artistic direction of Yossi Alfi, returns during Chol HaMoed Sukkot and will take place at the Givatayim Theater between September 23 and October 1, 2026. This year's program includes historical panels, tribute shows, and personal encounters.
The event will open with a meeting between Yossi Alfi and Lia Koenig, followed by the show "Ringing Bells" in memory of Ahuva Ozeri, featuring Yigal Ben Shalom, Ofer Pinhasov, Yossi Gispan, Yehuda Keisar, Rami Danoch, and Ron Shoval. Additionally, tribute shows to Naomi Shemer and Ofra Haza will be performed by Meital Mor.
In the field of history and security, the 50th anniversary of Operation Entebbe will be marked with a panel featuring hostages, pilots, and fighters, including Yehoshua 'Shiki' Shani, Muki Betser, Sorin Hershko, and Beni Davidzon.
Furthermore, events will be held titled "By the Fence" to mark 80 years since the 11 points in the Negev, and "Close Far - Stories from the Shin Bet" featuring Arik Barbing, Shalom Ben Hanan, Ilan Lotan, and Miri Aloni.
In the culture and heritage sector, the work "Zionist Dream" will be presented, accompanied by the Israel Chamber Orchestra Be'er Sheva and Iraqi musicians. Another event will be dedicated to Iraqi immigrants in Israeli culture with Eli Yatzpan, Gil Shohat, and Carmela Menashe, and the Banai family will perform in the show "These are the Banai" with Gavri, Ori, and Boaz Banai.
Discussions dedicated to the stories of Israel's prime ministers and presidents will also take place, featuring Tom Segev, Shimon Shiffer, Avi Bnayahu, Prof. Michael Bar-Zohar, and Shlomit Aharon, alongside an evening dedicated to the Labor movement with Uzi Baram, Amir Peretz, Eitan Cabel, and Sarale Sharon.
Chef Haim Cohen and Yossi Alfi will lead the event "Stories from the Kitchen of Israel's Communities" featuring Einat Sarouf, Rina Matzliach, and Pnina Tamano-Shata.
The program also integrates meetings with Yaron London and Orit Wolf, a show by Tiki Dayan and Osnat Zibil, and performances by Nancy Brandes, Micha Biton, Jackie Levy, and Eran Tzanani.
Festival founder Yossi Alfi noted that the program presents history in the first person and continues a long-standing tradition. The Mayor of Givatayim, Ran Konik, welcomed the continuation of the cultural tradition in the city. Ticket sales for the festival are in full swing.
