Satirical performance in Knesset cancelled
Cultural institutions forum cancels satirical play performance last minute. Production: this is dangerous censorship
The cultural institutions forum has ordered a last-minute cancellation of the satirical performance "Haboali" at a Knesset cultural event set for Tuesday.
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Forum chairman Itamar Gurevich explained in a letter that the purpose of the event, hosted by Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin, is to give culture the center stage and not to promote a political debate. Therefore, the aim is that the performances will not create discord.
Gurevich further noted that the performance was commissioned following a personal recommendation and without prior knowledge of its content.
'Haboali.' Cancelled to avoid disconmfort (Photo: Kobi Weinrot Shalom)
Gurevich told Ynet that the decision to cancel the performance was not political. "We thought a performance by the Hebrew-Arabic theatre in Yaffo would be fitting for the event," Gurevich said. However, after viewing the play, the forum felt it contained elements that could insult, offend or put the event's organizers and hosts in an awkward position.
'Forum had cold feet'
Yigal Ezrati, co-artistic manager of the Yaffo-based Theater, interpreted the cancellation differently. "Art is created to protest, and satire is meant to sting. The cancellation means that the forum had cold feet, and decided not to irritate the decision makers," said Ezrati.
Gurevich denied the allegation, saying this was no case of "cold feet." According to him, it is reasonable to expect guests not to insult their hosts. "The last minute cancellation may have been unprofessional, but it wasn't political."
The play's director Yael Tal said the production was asked to send the forum excerpts from the play for confirmation. Shortly thereafter, lobbyist Yaar Eran was sent to view the play in advance. "The next day he said this is a delicate situation, that Culture Minister Limor Livnat is sensitive to these things, and that it has budget implications," Tal said.
In response to Gurevich's explanation, Tal said they were surprised when invited to the Knesset in the first place, since recently it has not been embracing satire. Tal also expressed her concern that a situation emerges in which artists feel the need to conform to an ideological-political norm in order to keep working.
