In the presence of high-ranking figures from the cultural world, the “Samaria Theater” – the first repertory theater in Judea and Samaria – was opened at a ceremonial evening event. The head of the Samaria Regional Council, Yossi Dagan, said: “We consume culture and create it with pride. Samaria will become the cultural capital of the State of Israel!” The chairman of the Council for Culture and Arts, Chaim Perluk, added: “The establishment of the theater is an important step towards strengthening the settlements.”
Yesterday evening, the Samaria Theater, the first repertory theater in Judea and Samaria, was ceremoniously inaugurated. The event was moderated by the writer and media expert Shai Golden. In attendance were numerous high-ranking representatives of the Israeli cultural and theater scene, including Chairman of the Israel Council for Culture and the Arts Chaim Perluk, the theater’s artistic director, actor and artistic director Nathan Ravitz, Chairman of the Shazar Center and Israeli war hero Avigdor Kahalani, Orna Porat Theater’s executive director and former Chamber Theater executive director Ran Guetta, Beersheba Orchestra executive director Yair Nagid, Al-Mughrabiyya Orchestra executive director Max Abutbul, singer and musician David D’Or, writer and playwright Dr. Ido Netanyahu, actor Dani Shteg, actors and presenters Oded Menashe and Eden Harel, journalist and actor Shai Goldstein, and many others.
During the evening, the premiere of the play “Mas’ei Ge’ula” (The Journeys of Salvation) was performed – a special production that combines theater and music. The play, written and directed by Roi Malka, was performed in collaboration with the Andalusian orchestra “Al-Mughrabija” from Ma’alot-Tarshikha, which is active again for the first time since the beginning of the war.
The artistic director of the theater is the actor Nathan Ravitz, and the theater management is carried out by Chatuna Kipnis. Hadass Arnerich from the Samaria Cultural Center is also involved in the management of the theater.
Yossi Dagan, head of the Samaria Regional Council and chairman of the theater, recited the ceremonial blessing “Shehecheyanu,” to which the audience responded with “Amen.” In his speech, he addressed those present and asked: “Do you hear that sound? This is another glass ceiling breaking. This is a day of celebration – not only for us, but for millions of citizens of the State of Israel who will now benefit from high-quality and diverse culture.”
Dagan added: “Samaria is becoming the cultural capital of the State of Israel. The opening of the Samaria Theater is not only a significant event for the settlers, but a joyful and historic day for millions of citizens across the country who have previously felt excluded from the cultural scene. We are here with pride – not only as consumers of culture, but as its creators. With love for the land, attachment to tradition and a spirit of unity, we are embarking on a new path that will bring the voice of Samaria to all stages in the country.”
Minister of Culture and Sports Miki Zoar sent a video message in which he said: “The first performance at the Samaria Theater – what joy, pride and excitement! We worked hard, the staff of the Ministry of Culture and Sports and I, to make the establishment of this theater possible. I am happy that it is now happening and developing. We are doing everything we can to ensure that this important project continues to grow – for the benefit of the Land of Israel.”
Chairman of the Council for Culture and Arts Chaim Perluk added: “The establishment of cultural anchor institutions in Judea and Samaria is a national task. The Samaria Theater is part of the vision to strengthen the settlements – not only demographically, but also culturally. It will present the history, tradition and Israeli culture and carry this message to all parts of the country.”
Avigdor Kahalani, Chairman of the Shazar Center, said: “The culture is yours – this is a significant step towards deepening the roots in Judea and Samaria. There is nothing in this country like the devotion and love of homeland of the people of Samaria, and I am proud to be here on this historic day.”
The theater’s artistic director Nathan Ravitz said: “Samaria is a place with a tremendous history that has never been told on the stage. We are here to bring these voices, this heritage and the true Israeli spirit into the spotlight.”
Chatuna Kipnis, the theater’s director, said: “We are here with a real mission – a Jewish theater in Eretz Israel, in Samaria, a leading professional theater. I feel it is an enormous privilege to be part of its creation.”
Dr. Ido Netanyahu welcomed the initiative and said: “I think this initiative is extremely valuable – it is always a blessing when a new theater is created in Eretz Israel.”
Actor Dani Shteg added: “A Jewish theater in Samaria with Jewish content that is officially recognized by the Israeli government – that is a huge step forward, perhaps even towards redemption.”
Media expert Shai Golden concluded: “This is an extremely significant moment – not just for Samaria, but for all of Israel. The stories that this place can tell and that audiences want to hear are finally being brought to the stage.”
