Greetings
Hadar Galron
Artistic Director
Welcome to IsraDrama 2026: Beyond the Sirens
Odysseus must be the most misunderstood man in Greek mythology. Everyone remembers that he sailed past the Sirens, but few remember why he tied himself to the mast: he wanted to hear the song and survive!
That is the best definition of theatre I know – how far will you go for art?
Israel’s sirens don't lure us toward danger; they send us running to safety, in the middle of the night, to seek shelter. After wars, countries have a baby boom. We had a theatre boom, since being creative is how we climb out of “survival mode”.
Many countries decided that Israel was a vortex to be avoided, blocked, boycotted. But you decided you will not be missing out: you negotiated with ministries, insurers, wives, husbands, mothers... Please know that you are an honorary Odysseus, and that the bar is open.
So, what lies beyond the sirens? Something brave: empathy. It is cheaper than therapy, and you can get snacks. Theatre will not end wars, but it is the one place where we choose to listen to a dangerous song and come out the other side with an open heart. That is what “Beyond the Sirens” means: beyond headlines, beyond social media feeds that indoctrinate fear, hatred and antisemitism. In this festival you will meet artists, Jews, Arabs, and everything in between, whose answer to the Siren's call is a dialogue. And yes, our theatres are safe. Most of our venues are official shelters, so here "the show must go on" is not just a slogan, it's a safety code. You can stay tied to the mast – the show will go on.
Before we begin, I would like to honour the memory of our Director, Shimrit Ron, who led the Hanoch Levin Institute of Israeli Drama for twelve years. Her illness prevented her from working on this year’s festival, and we are deeply saddened by her passing. The countless messages of concern and prayers that reached us from around the world showed just how deeply she was loved. I’m sure she felt that love. And we know what she would have wanted most: for you to enjoy the festival.
Welcome to IsraDrama . Let's go above and beyond.
Hadar Galron
Artistic Director & (Acting) Managing Director
Hadar Galron
Welcome to IsraDrama 2026: Beyond the Sirens
Odysseus must be the most misunderstood man in Greek mythology. Everyone remembers that he sailed past the Sirens, but few remember why he tied himself to the mast: he wanted to hear the song and survive!
That is the best definition of theatre I know – how far will you go for art?
Israel’s sirens don't lure us toward danger; they send us running to safety, in the middle of the night, to seek shelter. After wars, countries have a baby boom. We had a theatre boom, since being creative is how we climb out of “survival mode”.
Many countries decided that Israel was a vortex to be avoided, blocked, boycotted. But you decided you will not be missing out: you negotiated with ministries, insurers, wives, husbands, mothers... Please know that you are an honorary Odysseus, and that the bar is open.
So, what lies beyond the sirens? Something brave: empathy. It is cheaper than therapy, and you can get snacks. Theatre will not end wars, but it is the one place where we choose to listen to a dangerous song and come out the other side with an open heart. That is what “Beyond the Sirens” means: beyond headlines, beyond social media feeds that indoctrinate fear, hatred and antisemitism. In this festival you will meet artists, Jews, Arabs, and everything in between, whose answer to the Siren's call is a dialogue. And yes, our theatres are safe. Most of our venues are official shelters, so here "the show must go on" is not just a slogan, it's a safety code. You can stay tied to the mast – the show will go on.
Before we begin, I would like to honour the memory of our Director, Shimrit Ron, who led the Hanoch Levin Institute of Israeli Drama for twelve years. Her illness prevented her from working on this year’s festival, and we are deeply saddened by her passing. The countless messages of concern and prayers that reached us from around the world showed just how deeply she was loved. I’m sure she felt that love. And we know what she would have wanted most: for you to enjoy the festival.
Welcome to IsraDrama . Let's go above and beyond.
Hadar Galron
Artistic Director & (Acting) Managing Director
Noam Semel
Chairman of the Board and Founder, Hanoch Levin Institute of Israeli Drama
This year Semel turned 80, which in theatre terms makes him officially a Classic. But Noam has been a Classic since his twenties.
A legendary general director, he led Haifa Theatre, The Cameri Theatre and the Habima National theatre – and left his mark on the Israeli theatre at every turn. Along the way, he decided that what was happening on Israeli stages was too good to stay at home. So, he founded the Institute in 2000, with one mission: to carry the news of Israeli theatrical excellence across land and sea. Many of the international guests reading this are here because of the door he opened.
On behalf of the whole festival: thank you, Noam, and happy birthday. May the next act be long and joyous, and may the audience never stop asking for more.
Noam Semel
This year Semel turned 80, which in theatre terms makes him officially a Classic. But Noam has been a Classic since his twenties.
A legendary general director, he led Haifa Theatre, The Cameri Theatre and the Habima National theatre – and left his mark on the Israeli theatre at every turn. Along the way, he decided that what was happening on Israeli stages was too good to stay at home. So, he founded the Institute in 2000, with one mission: to carry the news of Israeli theatrical excellence across land and sea. Many of the international guests reading this are here because of the door he opened.
On behalf of the whole festival: thank you, Noam, and happy birthday. May the next act be long and joyous, and may the audience never stop asking for more.
