Israel has come up with a new way to make your movie date nights better: ‘sail-in’ floating cinema. Here’s all we know about this new initiative that will soon float into Tel Aviv-Yafo’s coastlines. By Bayar Jain
The ongoing pandemic has shut theatres worldwide, but cinephiles of Israel have adopted new means to combat this hurdle: a sail-in floating cinema. Following the success of a drive-in theatre organised by Tel Aviv-Yafo Municipality’s Arts and Culture Division (Performance Department), in partnership with municipal companies—Tel Aviv Cinematheque, Expo Tel Aviv and Sport Palaces of Tel Aviv-Yafo—at the Shlomo Group Arena parking lot, this renewed avatar of movie-going will reportedly take place in partnership with Tel Aviv Cinematheque at HaYarkon Park’s boating lake.
Planned for a week-long gala of movies starting on August 22, a total of 70 socially distanced boats will greet the moviegoers here. Boats will be distanced two meters apart from each other, opposite to a large screen to ensure a safe and fun experience while allowing all ticket-holders to float away and unwind from the daily grind under the stars for a few hours.
Speaking about this, Ron Huldai, mayor of Tel Aviv-Yafo says, “Tel Aviv is the ‘non-stop city’ but the Coronavirus crisis halted a large share of cultural and leisure activities, posing new challenges for Tel Aviv-Yafo Municipality, including bringing cultural life to a halt in the city. During recent months, we have been constantly examining ways to grant residents access to culture. The return of the drive-in and the initiative to screen movies at HaYarkon Park’s boating lake are some creative ways to spend the hot August summer days, in strict accordance with Health Ministry guidelines.”
Tickets will be sold for eight movie screenings, divided equally between ‘suitable for families’ and ‘suitable for adults.’ Currently, only DigiTel Resident Cardholders can avail these tickets.
Notably, this sail-in floating cinema isn’t the only cultural activity launched by the authorities of the city, recently. Earlier intimate outdoor performances in restaurants and cafes; guided tours across the city; fitness classes on municipality building’s rooftop; online musical performances at the Eretz Israel Museum; and, weddings in some of the city’s most stunning locations—all in accordance with Health Ministry’s guidelines—have also been undertaken.
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