Habima, the national theater of Israel, officially reopened its doors Sunday night, five years after stage performances were relocated for renovations and two months after the curtain of the first play was raised in the newly-renovated facility. The celebratory ceremony, held in the facility's sparkling new Rovina hall, was attended by President Shimon Peres, Culture and Sport Minister Limor Livnat as well as a long list of artists, politicians and culture aficionados. The celebration was dampened -- literally -- by heavy rains in Tel Aviv, and despite the extensive investment in renovations, water dripped a bit onto the stage before the ceremony. Rovina Hall is named after the famous actress Hana Rovina, who starred in Habima's historical production of S. Ansky's "The Dybbuk," performed not in Yiddish, but in the Hebrew-language translation by the great Hebrew poet Hayim Nahman Bialik. Both the actress and the reproduction of her play in Hebrew have served as cultural icons for fans of both Jewish and Israeli theater. Sunday's ceremony opened with host Alex Ansky, an actor, journalist and radio broadcaster, playing a recording of the original inauguration ceremony for Habima in 1945. Immediately after, the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra played Beethoven's "Consecration of the House," the same piece played at the original opening. "Habima has served as a stage for the great dramatic story that is the state of Israel," Peres said at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. "Habima returns to its renovated home, a home for an ever-expanding Israeli society." Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, a number of notables took to the podium to speak and present, including director Odelia Friedman, Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai, and Livnat. A number of great theater actors also took to the stage, including Gila Almagor, Moni Moshonov, Avi Kushner, Yevgeniya Dodina, Lea Koenig and Jacob Cohen, to perform a variety of songs and scenes. Audience members were also treated to a screening of a film about the building's history. Following Koenig's performance of a song from the play "Mother Courage," Livnat surprised the actress with a certificate of honor, commemorating 50 years of stage appearances. "Thank you, Lea, for the dozens of roles you have given us and the many more to come," Livnat said. "For your unfettered joy of life and your invincible humor." The ceremony culminated in all of the actors and employees coming together on the stage. As far back as the last row of the auditorium, the excitement could be felt. Despite the celebration inside, outside the theater's doors on the vast public square and garden of Habima's campus, dozens of activists demonstrated against Huldai's policies. Three demonstrators were arrested. In response to the demonstration, Huldai said, "The stage is a public institution and the art of the theater is affordable. So why protest? If you oppose me, then protest; but not outside of an event dedicating Habima Theater."
Get the Israel Hayom newsletter sent to your mailbox!
Like our newsletter? 'Like' our Facebook page!
