Israel prepares for its 60th birthday party

Israel will celebrate in style with laser shows, parades, other extravagant events. New bike paths, as well as 60 playgrounds, picnic sites to open in honor of country’s Independence Day

Reuters | Published: 04.10.08, 08:05

Just how is Israel going to celebrate its 60th anniversary? In style, that’s for sure. IAF air-show, paratrooper demonstrations, large-scale Woodstock style concerts, laser shows, and, of course, the traditional fireworks are all in store to help launch Israel’s 60th Independence Day celebrations.

Minister Ruhama Avraham-Balila, who is charged with organizing the anniversary celebrations, held a press conference this week and announced all of the events planned for Israel’s big anniversary bash. Here is how we’re all going to celebrate:

On the eve of Independence Day, May 7, a spectacular laser, music and light show will adorn Israel’s skies. Residents of Beersheba, Eilat, Haifa, Netanya , Tiberias, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Ashdod will all be able to enjoy and marvel at this brilliant spectacle.

On Independence Day Itself, Thursday May 8, The Israeli Air Force will treat us all to an impressive air show and a fly-by across Israel’s skies. A huge paratrooper demonstration will also take place, as well as a naval review by the Israeli Sea Corps. Israeli President, Shimon Peres, will also hold a joint birthday party at his Jerusalem residence for all Israelis sharing a Hebrew-calendar birthday with the State of Israel.

Air show in store (Archive photo: AP)

The party does not end here, however. On the day following Independence Day, May 9, three huge anniversary parties will celebrate Israel’s Independence with the finest in Israeli music. The three massive concerts will take place, respectively, in Tel Aviv’s Rabin Square as well as in Nitzanim beach in the south and Achziv beach in the north. Each of these concerts will be geared toward different age groups, and will feature different and unique musical styles.

“These are not extravagant, lavish bashes, but concerts geared toward all of Israel’s citizens; not just the A-list crowd that has dominated previous Independence Day events,” said Minister Avraham.

Special projects to also mark 60th anniversary

In addition to these special events and concerts, Israel’s 60th anniversary will be marked with several special projects that have already begun months ago, and will continue long after the anniversary celebrations are just a dim memory.

Israel’s infrastructure will be getting a 60th anniversary makeover. A 60 kilometer (37 miles) path will be constructed in and around Lake Kineret, and 60 monuments for the casualties of Israel’s War of Independence will be renovated. A new state bike path, covering over 1,200 Kilometers (745 miles) will be opened, as well as 60 picnic sites complete with wheelchair access. Israel’s children also have cause for celebration with the opening of 60 new, and uniquely designed, playgrounds across the country.

Kinneret to get 60-kiolmeter trail (Photo: Galit Kosovsky)

New educational and cultural initiatives have, and will be, launched in honor of Israel’s independence as well. Some 45,000 students in the 10th and 11th grades now have the opportunity to tour the region between Latrun and Jerusalem and learn about the battles that raged in this area during Israel’s War of Independence as well as the Six Day War. Over 3,500 students tread these paths daily, learning about the valor lying in our country’s past. Furthermore, a national competition of children’s artwork will also take place, with the winning pictures featured in a calendar specially designed for Israel’s 60th anniversary.

More unique projects include an exhibition and photo album to be presented in Yad Vashem in honor of the Holocaust survivors who have been such an invaluable part of the State of Israel during its 60 years of existence. In September, furthermore, a special violin concert conducted by Shlomo Mintz will be held in the old city of Jerusalem, featuring violins damaged in the Holocaust and mended specifically for this unique event.

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert commented on Israel’s 60th anniversary celebrations during a cabinet meeting Sunday, and stated that “these will not be gaudy, pointless celebrations, but events that highlight how far the country has come in 60 years, and the challenges that we all still face in terms of education and culture. Unlike previous celebrations, this year’s events will allow all of Israel’s citizens to truly celebrate the country’s independence, as well as take part in a vital, important growth process that we hope to launch as the country turns 60.”