Londoners to get a taste of Israeli culture

Strategic Affairs Ministry, Israeli Embassy in London and British philanthropist launch four-day sampling of Israeli arts and food scene.

By NOA AMOUYAL
Updated: SEPTEMBER 5, 2017 00:35
The Union Flag flies near the Houses of Parliament in London, Britain, June 7, 2017. (photo credit: REUTERS)
The Union Flag flies near the Houses of Parliament in London, Britain, June 7, 2017.
(photo credit: REUTERS)
The city of London is gearing up for an Israeli festival extravaganza, the likes of which they’ve never seen before.
The TLV in LDN Festival, which will take place for four days across the city, is the brainchild of British Jewish philanthropist Marc Worth, the Israeli Embassy in London and the Strategic Affairs Ministry headed by Gilad Erdan.
Musical acts like Infected Mushroom, Marina Maximilian and Ester Rada will sing the night away and acclaimed chef Shaul Ben Aderet will spearhead a Tel Aviv food market during the day where festivalgoers can get a taste of the robust Israeli culinary scene.
Ben Aderet, who has nearly 30 years’ experience in the kitchen, and owns two restaurants in Israel, the Blue Rooster and Kimmel BaGilboa, believes the food scene here is unique.
“Israel is a culinary superpower and there is no doubt that in the coming years people will come here for the food, not just because of the Kotel [Western Wall],” he said.
“Tel Aviv is a city of joy, parties and excellent food, which is open 24 hours a day,” he added An Israeli festival of this magnitude in Britain is unprecedented and the goal is to highlight that Israel is a dynamic, fun and lively place that shares common values with the West.
“The TLV in LDN Festival is the first one to take place in a major capital,” Erdan said in a statement. “The festival reflects multiculturalism in Israel and shows you the truth about life in the country.”
The ministry hopes that festivals of this nature will build bridges between Israel and other cultures, and, as a result, be a blow to the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement.
TLV in LDN will take place September 7-11. The writer will be a guest of the festival.