In Israeli reality, the Jewish-Arab relationship is defined by alienation and conflict related stereotypes. Especially the Jewish majority in the country knows little to nothing about their fellow Arab citizens. The existence, let alone character of Israeli-Arab national identity, cultural differences between them or their attitude towards the Jewish state are are, at best, vaguely known and are subject to a lot of myths and misunderstandings. Jewish mainstream media coverage about the Arab sector is sparse and mostly negative. On the other hand, even though they know a bit more about the Jews, than vice versa, also the Arab image of their Jewish neighbors is largely negative and hostile.

Project Pillars of Peace therefore deals with the improvement of relationships by public relations activites on a grander scale. The first step was to create a series of events in the Jewish center of the country, Tel Aviv. The goal was to raise awareness for the Arab culture and lifestyle in the heart of Israel. These events were flanked by media coverage in order to reach a broad audience. Executing this pillar is the old and well-known Tzavta Theatre in Tel Aviv – an icon of progressive and alternative Israeli arts and cabaret.

In the following years, due to its resounding success, the festival spread over to other parts of the country with an emphasis on the peripheral parts of the country. Of course, also the Arab settlement areas were integrated into the tour plan and famous Jewish artists performed there alongside Arab acts.

Today  Tzavta’s Festival „Culture of Peace“ is in its 6th year and has become a constant in the Israeli cultural calendar. More and more venues have been added to the plan and so, apart from Tel Aviv the festival performs regularly in: Haifa, Acre, Nazareth, Be’er Sheva, and – for the first time this year – in the battered city of Sderot and the Bedouin settlement Rahat in the Negev. With it’s ever growing degree of popularity and audience, the festival draws bigger artists to it’s ranks and promotes cultural understanding while addressing the senses. A real Israeli success story.