Who Are We?
Confederation House, a center for ethnic music and poetry, is a long-standing cultural institution in Jerusalem emphasizing innovation and activity, attentive to the spirit of the times in the fields of ethnic music, poetry and literature in Israel and abroad. The house also works to promote the culture of Ethiopian Jewry.
For the past two decades Confederation House has been headed by Effie Benaya, its CEO and artistic director, who made it one of the most influential institutions in the world of Israeli culture. Benaya, who emphasizes professionalism, creativity, pluralism and innovation, founded a tradition of international festivals in the fields of ethnic music and new Israeli poetry at Confederation House. These festivals have become an important milestone in Israel and abroad. Benaya even expanded the activities of the house and established an original and audacious Israeli-Ethiopian theater ensemble, formed rare musical groupings that from within the walls of Confederation House developed into independent and successful ensembles, and promotes a series of events and programs that reveal the main voices in the world of poetry in Israel.
In the last twenty years Confederation House, located on the seam line between east and west Jerusalem, has become a charged, vibrant and attentive cultural intersection that serves as a meeting place for the variety of denominations and communities in Jerusalem in particular and in Israel in general—Jews and Arabs, secular and religious, veterans and immigrants, young and old, locals and tourists.
A Bit of History
Confederation House was inaugurated in 1984 in a beautiful stone building that has had various uses throughout history: in the 5th century CE it was a nursing home, in the 7th century it housed a Christian monastery; later it became a farmstead; subsequently it was at the disposal of the Greek Orthodox Church. In 1863 the building was described as “…a place of residence for a Muslim family who leased it from the Greek Church more than 140 years ago. For a small fee, they allow Christians to enter to see all kinds of miracles, including the chain of St. George (a Christian saint from the 3rd century who, according to legend, saved a girl during a fight with a dragon, which he killed), every madman who ties himself to it will be cured within three days.”
Today the building comprises restored portions of the 19th century residence, as well as modern additions that equip it as a performance hall and make it accessible to people with disabilities. The chain with healing properties is no longer present in the renovated structure of Confederation House, but many of us who share the madness and passion for music, theater and poetry see this center as their cultural home.
The Haim Gouri Confederation House
In 2021 the name of the center was changed to Haim Gouri Confederation House. Gouri, the influential Jerusalem poet who died three years earlier, was a fan of Confederation House and participated in many events there. His extensive iconic poetry and the many diverse fields of activity he engaged in are the main inspiration for the new branding of the house.
As part of the new center, we are producing a series of events dedicated to Gouri’s life and inspired by him: “Heroes of Culture,” a series dedicated to Israeli creators who left an indelible mark on Israeli culture; “Poetry Women—Voices from the Past,” a series that generates historical correction and shines a spotlight on a series of Jewish women who wrote poetry, prayers and thoughts on diverse issues; “A Meeting with a Poet/Writer,” a series that hosts a different author each time and dedicates a rich and comprehensive event to him or her; “Like the Phoenix,” a series dedicated to authors who themselves or whose oeuvre survived the Holocaust, and continues to enrich us to this day; and “The Stage for Young Poetry,” a series dedicated to young authors who published an innovative debut book that attracted public attention.
Another project that takes place as part of the Gouri Cultural Center is the “Song of the Ushpizin” festival, which is held every year during the Sukkot holiday. The festival holds a tribute to poets of the world and their work in the metaphorical Sukkah of Confederation House, alongside a tribute to Hebrew poetry. In addition, as part of the festival, poetry reading sessions, “Cafe Reading,” are held in the new restaurant space of Confederation House, with the participation of some of the finest poets. During these meetings one can enjoy a local Jerusalem menu against the backdrop of the walls of the Old City.
Another layer to the new center is a large installation in the image of Haim Gouri, standing at the entrance to the house’s performance hall. Several of Gouri’s poems are displayed around the house with an app that allows our guests to hear them read in Gouri’s own voice.
What We Do
Confederation House produces and hosts dozens of events and shows a year in the fields of ethnic music, poetry, literature and theater.
The house hosts dozens of musical performances from all ethnic communities, currents and styles, with special emphasis on ethnic and world music and original combinations between East and West and between new and old.
The house also hosts unique poetry evenings, launches of new poetry books and magazines, and series of meetings on a variety of topics.
Another focal point of the house’s activity is the culture of Ethiopian Jewry, past and present. The Israeli-Ethiopian Hullegeb Theater Ensemble operates within the walls of the house, established at the initiative of Confederation House’s artistic director Effie Benaya. The house also organizes the Israeli-Ethiopian Hullegeb Festival every year.
All of the Festivals
The highlights of activity at Confederation House are the annual festivals that the center has been producing since the beginning of the millennium.
In the fall, Confederation House stages the International Oud Festival, which presents the splendor of Arab musical culture in its various shades and incarnations, its interrelationships with other cultures and its deep affinity with Jewish culture. Every year the festival hosts Israeli and Arab ensembles in unique productions, as well as international artists, many of whom have appeared in Israel for the first time as guests of the festival. The festival events take place at Confederation House and in other halls throughout Jerusalem.
In the winter, Confederation House presents the Hullegeb Festival of Israeli-Ethiopian Culture, offering outstanding Israeli-Ethiopian creations in music, dance and theater. The festival features original Israeli ensembles alongside great artists from Ethiopia and other countries.
In the summer Confederation House presents the Poets’ Festival in Metula, which has long become one of the most significant events in Israeli culture. Each year’s festival is dedicated to a unique topic at the top of the Israeli poetry agenda, hosting dozens of poets from all segments of the population and organizing poetry evenings, diverse performances and heated debates.
Another festival that takes place every year during Sukkot is the “Ushpizin Poetry Festival,” which includes tributes to world poets and their work, alongside tributes to Hebrew poetry, as well as intimate poetry reading events in the house’s restaurant space, “Cafe Reading,” with the participation of many of Israel’s noted poets.
Growing and Renewing
Since it began operating as a cultural center, Confederation House has not stopped growing and renewing itself. Ethnic musical groups take their first steps there, and even receive professional mentoring and support. Poetry magazines and new poetry books hold their festive launches there. Unique projects emerge on a regular basis—including evening series dedicated to major themes in literature and poetry; special events on the occasion of significant dates in Israeli culture; and intimate and in-depth explorations of heritage by artists and musical ensembles.
The three festivals produced by Confederation House grow year by year, are updated with new topics, voices and sounds and host top-notch performers and artists in various fields.
The Hullegeb project cultivates, produces and hosts outstanding creations by members of the Ethiopian community in Israel in the fields of theater, its house band, music and dance, and is constantly expanding and reaching out to new audiences.
Year by year, a faithful following has grown within the walls of the house. Confederation House maintains artistic ties with creators and musical ensembles around the world that are hosted at its festivals.
What We Believe
The main goal of Confederation House is the cultivation of multiculturalism, tolerance, and solidarity in Israeli society. We believe in the power of culture to build bridges of communication, trust, curiosity and brotherhood between distant communities and even between enemies. We believe that the more diverse and richer, the more complex and innovative our cultural world is, the more generous, tolerant and attentive people we will become.