The popular Safed (otherwise known as Tzfat in Hebrew) Klezmer Festival is an annual shindig for devotees of Klezmer music.
Now in it’s 29th year, the 2016 Festival will take place between the 15th and 17th August. And for lovers of the original Klezmer melodies, and not the more modern rockier sound, you’ll be in for a treat, as organizers lean more towards the roots of Klezmer this year…
What exactly is Klezmer music? Well, it’s a musical genre traditionally played by the Ashkenazi Jews of Eastern Europe. It consists largely of dance tunes and instrumental pieces for weddings and other happy events.
Where to catch the best tunes?
One of the main locations to catch some of the best Klezmer groups is the refurbished Ma’ayan HaRadum Square. This open-air auditorium lets everyone hear and see the bands performing, but we’d recommend you get there early to grab a seat.
Other things to see and do…
While enjoying the tunes, you might also want to check out the famous market (or shuk), though its exact location and size vary each year (some years it has stretched right across the town). There’s plenty to see and taste in the shuk, and don’t be surprised to see things kicking on well into the wee hours of the night…
Stallholders sell pretty much everything you can think of, though it can be a bit of a squeeze through the crowds some years. Last year it seems there were less people attending the Festival, so there was room to swing the proverbial cat and actually get to really enjoy the shuk.
If you start feeling peckish there’s a whole variety of stalls to choose from, including the usual suspects of schwarma and felafel.
Don’t miss our guide to Safed for other attractions and things to do.
Where to stay in and around Safed
Now is the time to book a hotel room or guest house (zimmer as they’re known in Hebrew) as places fill up mighty fast, even though this is the Galilee hills and not Tel Aviv/Jerusalem we’re talking about. Check out some of the very best accommodation options in and around Safed here.