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Ecuadorian Art and Culture Shine at “Andean Anthology” Exhibition at Cervantes Institute in Tel Aviv
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- Written by Silvia Golan & Steven Aiello
The Embassy of Ecuador in Israel organized the art exhibition “Andean Anthology” by Ecuadorian artist José Bastidas, with an opening event held on May 27, 2026, in cooperation with the Cervantes Institute of Tel Aviv.
The event was moderated by Mr. Bernardo Burgos, Consul of Ecuador in Israel.
Ambassadors and other diplomats, government officials, representatives of the Chamber of Commerce, and members of the Latin American community in Israel attended the reception cocktail. The paintings in the collection are spectacularly beautiful and display the typical joyful colors of the Andean region.
The official program began with the performance of the National Anthem of Ecuador. Mr. Francisco del Río Sánchez, Director of the Cervantes Institute of Tel Aviv, delivered welcoming remarks to the attendees. Afterwards, the Ambassador of Ecuador to Israel, Attorney María Cristina Cevallos Calero, gave a speech introducing the artist and stated:
“It is a profound honor for me to extend to you the warmest welcome to this important artistic exhibition by the Ecuadorian master José Bastidas, whose work represents the sensitivity, identity, and cultural richness of our Ecuador.
Art serves as a bridge between peoples. It allows us to engage in dialogue beyond borders, to share emotions, and to bring our cultures closer together through beauty and creativity. Tonight, we celebrate precisely this encounter between Ecuador and Israel through the universal language of art.
Our country possesses an extraordinary cultural and artistic diversity, heir to ancestral indigenous, mestizo, and contemporary traditions. Every brushstroke, every color, and every composition by master José Bastidas reflects the essence of a nation rich in history, memory, and hope.
Likewise, the works we contemplate today invite us to enter a deeply surrealist universe, where reality and symbolism are in constant dialogue. In each painting, we discover elements that evoke the soul of Ecuador: hummingbirds symbolizing life and Andean spirituality; El Panecillo, the icon of our city of Quito; the Diablo Huma, an ancestral mythological figure of our indigenous worldview; as well as multiple references to traditions, hardworking faces, colors, and the roots of our indigenous peoples.
I invite you to tour this exhibition with curious eyes and an open spirit, allowing every detail to reveal a different story, memory, and emotion. The works of master Bastidas will allow you to encounter fragments of our cultural identity and the human richness of Ecuador.
In this context, and as we recently commemorated a glorious date for Ecuador, I wish to recall a fundamental event in our republican history: the Battle of Pichincha, fought on May 24, 1822.
That historic feat took place on the slopes of the Pichincha volcano, in the city of Quito, where patriot forces led by Marshal Antonio José de Sucre achieved a decisive victory over the colonial army. This triumph consolidated the independence of the former Royal Audience of Quito and opened the path to the definitive freedom of our people.
The Battle of Pichincha not only represents a victorious military episode, but also symbolizes the courage, unity, and longing for freedom of men and women who dreamed of a sovereign and dignified nation. Its legacy continues to inspire us to this day, reminding us of the importance of freedom, national identity, and integration among the peoples of Latin America.
Today, as we gather in this prestigious cultural institution, we also renew this spirit of encounter and fraternity among nations, promoting mutual understanding through art and culture.
I express my sincere appreciation to the Cervantes Institute of Tel Aviv for opening its doors to Ecuadorian culture, as well as to master José Bastidas for sharing with us his talent and artistic sensitivity.
I hope this exhibition will be an enriching experience for all of you and an opportunity to come even closer to the soul and spirit of Ecuador.”
The guests then enjoyed the artistic and cultural presentation by Otavalo artist Franklin Anguaña (“Funky”), who performed “El Cóndor Pasa” using indigenous instruments, and of course a tour of the beautiful exhibition.
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- Written by Silvia Golan
A mysterious and impressive ancient tunnel has been discovered in an archaeological excavation in Jerusalem, near Kibbutz Ramat Rachel
The surprising discovery was uncovered during archaeological excavations conducted by the Israel Antiquities Authority ahead of the construction of a new neighborhood promoted by the Israel Lands Authority, and is expected to be incorporated into an archaeological park.
A mysterious and impressive ancient tunnel, hewn through the rock over a length of approximately 50 meters, was unexpectedly discovered near Kibbutz Ramat Rachel in Jerusalem. The extraordinary discovery was uncovered during archaeological excavations conducted by the Israel Antiquities Authority prior to the construction of a new neighborhood, funded and initiated by the Israel Lands Authority. The neighborhood plan, being advanced by the Israel Lands Authority north of Ramat Rachel, includes 488 housing units, thousands of square meters designated for employment and commercial use, over an area of approximately 58 dunams, as well as an elementary school and kindergartens.
“We were excavating in relatively rocky and exposed terrain when suddenly we discovered a natural karstic cavity,” said Dr. Sivan Mizrahi and Zinovi Matskevich, excavation directors on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority. “To our amazement, as the excavation progressed, this cavity developed into a long tunnel. Parts of it are still collapsed, so the tunnel has not yet revealed all of its secrets.”
The entrance to the ancient complex from the surface was through a staircase descending to a hewn opening that led into the tunnel. The tunnel itself was discovered filled with layers of soil that had accumulated over hundreds, perhaps even thousands, of years.Excavation at several points inside the tunnel showed that it reaches a height of up to 5 meters and a width of approximately 3 meters. “The quarrying was executed meticulously. It is clear that whoever carved this tunnel invested tremendous effort, careful planning, and possessed the capabilities and resources necessary to achieve this goal.”
Yet the purpose of the tunnel remains unclear.
At first, researchers proposed that this was an ancient water installation intended to reach a spring source. This assumption, however, was ruled out, first because the tunnel walls are not plastered and, second, following consultation with a geologist, because no underground water horizons are known in this area, and the tunnel contains no indication of water accumulation.
The possibility that this was some kind of underground agricultural or industrial installation was then examined, but the scale of the work and the absence of comparable sites in the vicinity made this explanation unlikely.
The researchers’ current assessment is therefore that the tunnel was intended to reach a chalk layer suitable for quarrying building stones or producing lime. Possible evidence supporting this interpretation includes a shaft carved into the tunnel’s ceiling, which may have been used for ventilation, as well as quarrying debris discovered on the tunnel floor - although this interpretation, too, remains uncertain.
Alternatively, the findings may indicate that the quarrying and construction of the tunnel were never completed, and therefore its intended purpose and nature remain unknown.
According to Dr. Mizrahi and Matskevich, “The date of the tunnel is also a mystery to us, since not even the smallest find was uncovered that could indicate when it was created. At the same time, the tunnel lies only a few hundred meters, as the crow flies, from two significant ancient sites - a public building from the Iron Age (First Temple period) in the Arnona neighborhood, and Tel Ramat Rachel, where settlement remains dating from the Iron Age through the Islamic period have been documented.”
Shikma Sig, Jerusalem Region Planner at the Israel Lands Authority, said: “The Israel Lands Authority promoted the plan north of Ramat Rachel, which includes a residential quarter alongside a unique archaeological park that will be established for the benefit of residents. The neighborhood offers a rare combination of modern urban development and preservation of historical heritage, providing the future community with a green open space that makes the treasures of history accessible just beneath their homes. The Israel Lands Authority is proud to advance sustainable urban development for the benefit of Jerusalem residents and the citizens of Israel as a whole.”
Dr. Amit Re’em, Jerusalem District Archaeologist at the Israel Antiquities Authority, added: “We are celebrating Jerusalem Day this week. This discovery joins many others being uncovered every day, hour by hour, throughout the city. The archaeologists and researchers of the Israel Antiquities Authority are constantly at work, because this city never ceases to surprise. Usually we have explanations for the discoveries we uncover, but sometimes, as in this case, we stand astonished and amazed.”
According to Israeli Minister of Heritage Rabbi Amichai Eliyahu, “During Jerusalem Day week, this special discovery reminds us of the deep and ancient connection of the Jewish people to Jerusalem. Beneath the city’s soil, extraordinary enterprises of life, creativity and construction are revealed time and again, testifying to generations of people who lived and worked here and left their mark. Jerusalem is not only the present-day capital of the State of Israel - it is also the heart of the historical story of the Jewish people, which continues to be uncovered before our eyes.”
This impressive discovery is expected to be incorporated into an archaeological park for the benefit of the public and the future residents of the neighborhood being planned by the Israel Lands Authority.
- English video (AI dubbing using Heygene) https://youtu.be/ohDTKvkzLiE : Emil Aladjem, Israel Antiquities Authority
The ancient tunnel uncovered in Jerusalem. Photo: Yoli Schwartz, Israel Antiquities Authority
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- Written by Silvia Golan & Stephen Abrahams
For the first time in years, the oldest complete biblical manuscript in the world will be displayed to the public in its entirety
On the occasion of its 60th anniversary, the Israel Museum is honored to invite the general public to a rare and unique encounter with one of the world's most important treasures: the complete Isaiah Scroll (7.17 meters long) from Qumran, which will be displayed in its entirety for only four months in a new exhibition, 'Consolation from the Desert'.
This is an extraordinary opportunity to stand before the oldest and most complete biblical manuscript discovered to date, a scroll over 2,100 years old that contains all 66 chapters of the Book of Isaiah, as we know them today. The scroll will be displayed in a unique 8-meter-long display case, imported from Belgium, under special, controlled climate conditions. Up to 25 visitors will be allowed into the hall at a time, for a period of 7 minutes. No more
photography inside the hall
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The Judean Desert Scrolls, discovered between 1947 and 1956 in the Qumran caves on the shores of the Dead Sea, are considered one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of the twentieth century. The most important and prominent of them is the complete Isaiah Scroll, dating to approximately 125 BCE – about a thousand years before the oldest manuscripts of the Bible known to us previously.
The Great Isaiah Scroll is an authentic source from the Second Temple period, preserving historical knowledge dating back some 2,000 years. Visitors will experience not only a familiar biblical text, but a real ancient artifact, a rare relic that has preserved its integrity in the desert conditions and has become a living testimony to the ancient world. The scroll constitutes a national and cultural treasure of the highest order. Many expressions that we use today are taken from the book of Isaiah: “They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more; "A wolf lived with a lamb"; "And a redeemer came to Zion".
The Judean Desert Scrolls, discovered between 1947 and 1956 in the Qumran caves on the shores of the Dead Sea, are considered one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of the twentieth century. The most important and prominent of them is the complete Isaiah Scroll, dating to approximately 125 BCE – about a thousand years before the oldest manuscripts of the Bible known to us previously.
The Great Isaiah Scroll is an authentic source from the Second Temple period, preserving historical knowledge dating back some 2,000 years. Visitors will experience not only a familiar biblical text, but a real ancient artifact, a rare relic that has preserved its integrity in the desert conditions and has become a living testimony to the ancient world. The scroll constitutes a national and cultural treasure of the highest order. Many expressions that we use today are taken from the book of Isaiah: “They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more; "A wolf lived with a lamb"; "And a redeemer came to Zion".
The special exhibition offers visitors a multi-sensory journey: it all begins with a reconstruction of Cave No. 1 in Qumran, where the audience can experience the miraculous story of the discovery of the scroll in the darkness of the desert. From the cave, the journey will move on to the story of the journey the scroll took until it reached its resting place in the Hall of the Book, and will culminate in front of the display of the complete scroll in all its glory – 7.17 meters of living testimony to history.
The exhibition is subject to various conditions; it is necessary to check with the museum to see if it is available.
It will be exhibited until June 6, 2026
Location: Bella and Hari Wexner Hall, Israel Museum, Jerusalem Curator: Hagit Maoz
Assistant Curator: Omrit Cohen
The Israel Museum begins in 2026 with five new exhibitions and a large-scale installation by Anselm Kiefer.
Museo de Israel: Inauguration of the Winter Exhibition Season
The Israel Museum in Jerusalem presents new exhibitions for 2026, which reflect the diversity of its collections and its rich artistic heritage. The five new exhibitions are added to the ones that already form part of the museum, creating a tapestry of local and universal art, history and culture, possible only in the largest museum in Israel
Museo de Israel: Inauguration of the Winter Exhibition Season
The Israel Museum in Jerusalem presents new exhibitions for 2026, which reflect the diversity of its collections and its rich artistic heritage. The five new exhibitions are added to the ones that already form part of the museum, creating a tapestry of local and universal art, history and culture, possible only in the largest museum in Israel
The Israel Museum in Jerusalem is presenting new exhibitions that reflect the museum's diverse collections and rich artistic heritage. The five new exhibitions join the museum's ongoing exhibitions, which together create a tapestry of local and universal art, history, and culture that is only possible at the largest museum in Israel.
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- Written by Silvia Golan
Tel Aviv EAT Festival Returns for Its 10th Edition
Israel’s Largest Food Festival Brings Four Days of Culinary Celebration to the Mediterranean Coast
Tel Aviv EAT Festival returns this May for its 10th edition, transforming the beachfront lawns of Charles Clore Park into an open-air celebration of food, culture and city life.
Taking place from May 11–14, the festival brings together some of Tel Aviv’s most sought-after restaurants, chef-led kitchens, street food stalls and live music performances, all alongside Tel Aviv’s beautiful Mediterranean sunsets.
Widely considered Israel’s largest food festival, Tel Aviv EAT offers visitors the chance to experience the city’s renowned culinary scene in one location and at accessible prices. Restaurants that are often booked weeks in advance will serve signature dishes alongside emerging chefs, local flavors, international cuisines and unique culinary collaborations created especially for the festival.
Beyond food, the festival reflects the spirit of Tel Aviv itself — creative, open, vibrant and constantly evolving. After a challenging period for Israel, the event also aims to offer a shared public space focused on culture, community and celebration.
“Tel Aviv EAT is much more than a culinary event,” the municipality said ahead of the opening. “It reflects the Tel Aviv spirit that continues to innovate, create and celebrate life even during challenging times. Especially now, we choose to gather together by the sea and make room for joy, flavors and human connection.”
Visitors can expect sunset dining by the beach, dozens of restaurants and food trucks, large hospitality areas, live performances and a wide range of culinary experiences throughout the four-day festival.
Photo credit David Bar Sela / David Scouri
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The Tel Aviv Biennale of Crafts and Design 2026 "Works and Days"
Dates 20.04.26-30.11.26
Curation Henrietta Eliezer Brunner / Galit Gaon
The 3rd edition of the Tel Aviv Biennale of Craft and Design returns in 2026 under the theme Works and Days, drawn from Hesiod’s ancient Greek epic poem. This timeless reference frames the concept of “work” in its broadest sense – not only as labor and craftsmanship, but also as action, agency and ethical responsibility – ideas that resonate deeply with our current reality.
Over 1,500 proposals were reviewed, and the selected projects span the full spectrum of craft media – ceramics, glass, textile, paper, fiber, metal, and jewelry – as well as a wide range of design disciplines including architecture, industrial design, visual communication, video and performative practices. The Biennale will showcase both emerging and established voices, drawing an up-to-date picture of the vibrant Israeli craft and design scene while also exploring new directions and challenges.
Many of the works present bold combinations of traditional techniques and cutting-edge technologies, alongside experimental and process-driven practices with particular focus on cultural heritage and environmental sustainability.
As part of the Biennale, specially curated projects will take place in MUZA’s permanent collection pavilions. These collaborations between the museum’s curators and invited artists and designers will respond to the wide-ranging collections, generating new connections between past and present.
Throughout the months of the Biennale, three Academic Labs will successively offer a behind-the-scenes glimpse into research-based creative processes.
The Biennale will be accompanied by a range of collateral events, including workshops, gallery talks, and encounters with the artists, conferences, interdisciplinary events, performances, and other activities at the Jack Joseph and Morton Mendel Park (“Bustan MUZA”).
In collaboration with the Tel Aviv-Yafo Municipality
Sponsored by the “Muza” Project by Phoenix and America Israel
Address: MUZA, Eretz Israel Museum, Tel Aviv. 2 Haim Levanon Street, Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv
Opening Hours:
Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Thursday from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Friday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Saturday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
The museum is closed on Sundays.
Tel.: 03-6415244
MUZA Eretz Israel Museum, Tel Aviv , is the home of archaeology, ethnography, photography, folklore and local history collections that are among the largest and most important in Israel. It works towards the formation of contemporary connections between past and present and between different fields of creative activity and study. One of its unique features is the exhibitions and research into crafts, including investigation of the tension between art and crafts. As such it formulates an ongoing discourse promoting the close connection between matter and spirit that has always been integral to human culture.
The museum covers a large area adjacent to the Ramat Aviv section of Tel Aviv, with the Yarkon river flowing to its south, and has views of the harbor and the city skyline. Distributed around the grounds of the museum are the pavilions in which its collections are stored and displayed. They include rare and unique items. Alongside the pavilions that house the various permanent exhibitions are also “white cube” spaces where rotating exhibitions on different topics are displayed, in dialogue with the museum’s cultural vision and its permanent exhibition. Over the years some of these have become iconic cultural events attracting a large and diverse public, for example the “Biennale for Crafts and Design”, “Photomenta” and the “Local Testimony” photojournalism exhibition.
Photos Silvia G. Golan
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