A history lesson in Jerusalem

May 18, 2009 - 8:53 AM by

david-towerThe Night Spectacular sound and light show at the Tower of David Museum in Jersualem’s Old City is indeed spectacular.

On a gorgeous Jerusalem Saturday night, the stands were full, as the 45-minute multi-media extravaganza was projected on the ancient walls of the Tower of David’s Citadel. Interspersed with trippy Fantasia-worthy interludes, the show covered the history of Jerusalem, from creation until modern times… almost.

From King David playing his harp on the rooftops of old buildings, to the Queen of Sheba visiting King Solomon’s Palace, the images are evocative, vivid and breathtaking. Particularly well done are the scenes depicting the destruction of the First and Second Temples and the exile of the Jews.

Since there isn’t any narration or subtitles -with only a striking musical accompaniment – you need to refer to the leaflet that’s handed out at the entrance to determine the various periods in which the city was ruled by the Crusaders, the Mameluks and the Turks.

All was mesmerizing until we arrived at modern times, which was depicted by in the British Mandate period with well-dressed British visitors strolling around Jaffa Gate. From there, it was a lightning jump to today with hundreds of school-aged kids filling up the screen and singing a song about peace. When they finished, the audience didn’t know whether to clap or not, until the lights in the courtyard came back on. There was nothing about 1948, 1967, or the relative coexistence that we enjoy todahy.

While filing out, audience members stopped to talk to our gracious host Caroline, who attempted to explain that the museum didn’t want to enter into the politics of latter day Jerusalem, and decided that depicting the history of 20th century Jerusalem would somehow end up offending somebody and not satisfy anyone.

Perhaps, but due to its omissions, The Night Spectacular ended a little less spectacularly than it began. It’s still a magical night out, one not to be missed.

Tags: , , , , • Category: Art, coexistence, General, Politics, Travel 

Comments

One Comment on A history lesson in Jerusalem

  1. J. Unterman on Wed, May 20th 2009 1:24 PM

    2. You are quite correct to criticize the Sound and Light show for its glaring omission of anything to do with modern Israel, and you are too easy on them. It’s as if the producers are ashamed of Zionism and modern Israel, and yet, we are the ones who have made this city free to all peoples and religions. The previous S&L show did acknowledge ’67 which used to get the biggest round of applause. The Jerusalem Municipality should be taken to task. I never recommend this show to anybody.

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