Peace prize in Italy - for the Israeli prouducer Eli Grunfeld  

 

Eli Grunfeld, an artistic director and producer of cultural if peace events in Israel, was awarded the "3 vote Dio" The 2009 prize for peace in Italy.

The prize "3 vote Dio"( 3 times God) is in recognition of his uncompromising efforts to promote intercultural dialogue between Palestinians and Israelis.    In particular, the prize committee loaded his work for having the courage to celebrate peace and compassion in the face of hatred and distrust.

 

Mr. Grunfeld’s journey into peace work began during the 1982 Lebanon War.   Back then, he was serving as a military paramedic.   In the mist of war, he took a vow that if he was to survive, he would dedicate himself to ‘humanizing the enemy’ through cultural exchange.    

Ever since, Mr. Grunfeld worked on cultural productions that encourage dialogue and understanding between ethnic groups in conflict.  

Among his most celebrated and innovative productions are:

The Nazareth orchestra. (Since 1992). The Orchestra features the finest Arab, Jewish and Muslims musicians and singers from Nazareth and the Galilee. The orchestra is the ambassadors of peace of the Middle East.

The Culture of peace festival that takes place in Israel each May since 2001.

The Oud Festivals in Jerusalem, and since 2004 in Tel Aviv .

And multi cultural concerts in Palestine and Israel around the world.      

 

Mr. Grundfeld has also worked closely with world leading artistes committed to cultural dialogue and culture of peace, that performed at his productions as:

T om York - Radiohead (London, Royal festival hall London), Sapho (France, Morocco, Israel and Palestine), George Mustaki (Israel) Yassmin Levi (Opera house Tel Aviv and the tower of David museum in Jerusalem),  Omar Faruk Takbilak (In Tel Aviv and Central Park NY), Hind (Holland), Radiodervish (Italy), David D'or & Zahava Ben (Israel). Lubna Salameh (Palestine, Israel, Europe and the USA.