Purim’s Giant Puppet Parade Returns

The Adloyada parade is back!

A procession of original giant puppet displays, designed by Israeli artists in cooperation with children from Jerusalem, marched through the center of the capital in celebration of Purim. The displays expressed appreciation for the bravery of Israel’s soldiers, the unity of the people, and the victory of the spirit.

The annual Purim Bachar in Nissim Bachar Street // Photo Credit: Ricky Rahman

In the parade, people from evacuated communities in the North and South marched alongside displays created by artists from towns in the Gaza Envelope. Families of reservists and groups from Jerusalem and other places also marched with them, displaying the essence of Jerusalemite resistance in one mighty procession.

The Jerusalem Adloyada parade began on King David Street, continued to Zion Square through Shlomo HaMelech Street, then turned onto Jaffa Street and left onto King George Street, concluding at the old Mashbir Square.

The parade took place this year for the first time since 1982, with the Jerusalem municipality, in collaboration with the Davidson Theater-Train Theater, reviving the Jerusalem Adloyada tradition in the city center. This year, especially, there is great importance in holding the Adloyada in Jerusalem. This Adloyada takes place five months after the horrific slaughter in the South, and it puts at the center the idea of recreation, inspiration, and imagination. The march is dedicated to the little heroes in our lives, our children, who bravely face the current times, demonstrating strength and immense mental resilience.

K-Pop display by Mystery Theater

Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion said, “The Adloyada is beyond a Purim celebration; it is a march of the victory of the spirit and of standing tall. Jerusalem opens its gates and hosts everyone with love and joy, hoping for a promising future and unity of the people.”

Participating cultural institutions included the Tower of David Museum, Israel Museum, Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design, the Davidson Theater-Train Theater, Incubator Theater, Mystery Theater, Dancing Deer Theater, Ginogli Center, and the Bloomfield Science Museum. Additionally, top puppeteers and giant puppet sculptors in the country, as well as many communities from across the city, took part, including School Argentina (Experimental), Ha’Mifal gallery, Bak’a Community Center, Romema Community Center, Sha’ar Hityashvut High School, Jerusalem Art School, IASA – Israel Arts and Science Academy, and more.

A display of the famous Jerusalem monster statue // Photo Credit: Nurit Katzir

Among the artists presenting at the Adloyada are Adi Ana Telzhinsky, Shmulik Shochat, Itamar Hamerman, Shimon Pinto, Yinon Shahazoo, Eldad Shaaltiel, Anna Viktorova, Sivan Vaishentan Halevi, Lev Kraitman and Itamar Rappel (Midburn), Diego and Lea Rotman, Ilia Zamsov and Michael Ma’arik, Liron Gavish and Yoav Asher Schwartz, Ilan Green, Tair Nahum, Reni Mizrahi, Adar Goldfarb and Hadass Diamant, Maayan and Hila, Hop Channel with Sumsum Street puppets, Adam Yakin, Yulia Gines, Lili and Pluga, Michal Shochron, Alon Abidor, Dean Bar, Yaron Krevl, Idan Sclar, Shai Parsil, Itamar Shemshoni, and many more.

KKL-JNF Historical Purim Photo Archive

In honor of the holiday, Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF) presents photos from Purim celebrations in the Land of Israel and abroad from the 1920s to the 1950s.

A girl dressed up as the KKL-JNF Blue Box on Purim, Germany, 1950.

KKL-JNF has revealed rare archival photos from festive Purim celebrations during the British Mandate era and the early years of Israel. Even before the establishment of the state, the people of the Land of Israel prepared for weeks with costumes, decorations and displays, for the Purim parade – the carnival that was first named Adloyada in 1932. In Jerusalem, the festivities were expressed through elaborate costumes and magnificent gates, and hundreds of city residents, young and old, participated.

Jews around the world also dressed up to celebrate the holiday. Among the rare photos, one can see festive Purim costumes from Egypt and Germany where children dressed as the iconic KKL-JNF blue box – a Zionist symbol like no other.

Efrat Sinai, director of KKL-JNF Archives, said, “We are proud to present a glimpse of the joy of the Purim holiday as captured over the decades through the lenses of the cameras of KKL-JNF photographers and members of Jewish communities in the Diaspora. Although the photos were taken in black and white, you can immediately feel the festive atmosphere and the dedication in preparing the costumes, all of which are handmade. It is always moving to remember how they celebrated this special holiday here and abroad back then, just like today.”