Jerusalem Festival returns after three-year Gaza war hiatus

The Jerusalem Festival, a Palestinian cultural event in east Jerusalem, has returned after a three-year break linked to the Gaza war, opening Sunday with a tribute to the late Lebanese musician Ziad Rahbani.

Hundreds of fans attended the opening at the Yabous Cultural Centre, where the Jerusalem Arabic Music Ensemble performed selections from Rahbani's work. Rahbani, a Lebanese musician and playwright and the son of singer Fairuz, died last year aged 69.

The last edition of the festival was held in summer 2023, before the Gaza war began after Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel.

Musician Suheil Khoury, chairman of the board of the Yabous Cultural Centre, said organisers wanted the festival to return to “give people hope” and bring people together.

The festival is four decades old, but interruptions including wars and Palestinian uprisings mean this is its 30th edition. It is due to continue with musical performances, cultural talks and art exhibitions at several east Jerusalem locations until October 15.