Hebrew language to take centre stage at Festival of Spoken Ivrit - The Jewish Chronicle

The Hebrew language will be showcased and celebrated in a series of plays which are being brought to the UK.

The eighth Festival of Spoken Ivrit (FoSI) 2026 will open in London with a gala evening at the beginning of February.

Held in cooperation with the World Zionist Organisation (WZO) and the Israeli Hour Theatre, around 60 performances will be staged across several days.

Stressing that it wasn’t just for native Hebrew speakers, festival organisers said that its aim was to “strengthen Jewish identity and deepen the connection to the State of Israel”.

Matan Bar-Noy, from the World Zionist Organization in the UK and Europe, said: “At a time when antisemitism is on the rise and the challenges facing diaspora Jewry are increasing, The Festival of Spoken Ivrit (FoSI) 2026 in London is a Zionist, educational, and value-driven statement of the highest order.

“This year’s theme, ‘Love Your Neighbour as Yourself,’ reflects the core of the Israeli and Jewish story and builds a bridge between different parts of the Jewish people, here and abroad.”

The delegation coming to London will include the cast members, together with internationally renowned public speaker Miriam Peretz, who will open the festival’s gala evening.

The first day of the festival is aimed at families, with children’s performances, creative workshops, Israeli food stalls, and Israeli music being put on in a north-west London venue.

The Israeli Hour Theatre will present five productions during the festival, including From Point to Point – winner of the Best Director Award at the Soliko Festival 2025.

Written by two combat commanders in the IDF, it centres on the relationship between a religious Zionist soldier and a secular-liberal one and will be staged in both Hebrew and English.

Simply Special (Photo: Raday Rubinstain)[Missing Credit]

Simply Special, winner of the Best Actor Award at the Soliko Festival 2024, is about a teenager who tries to hide that he has an autistic brother but then finds out that a surprise party is being planned in his home. The play is based on the life story of actor Idan Shakeruka, who grew up alongside his autistic brother.

Ivrit productions of The Tortoise and the Hare and The Ugly Duckling are on the programme, alongside new play The Heart.

Inspired by the bestselling novel by Edmondo De Amicis, The Heart is about Marco, who travels across continents to find his mother.

Moti Halimi, CEO of the Israeli Hour Theatre, said: “Precisely in this challenging and complex period, when antisemitism is on the rise around the world and in England, there is deep and meaningful importance in bringing Hebrew-language theatre productions to London. Culture, language, and values are anchors of identity, and the encounter with Jewish children and families strengthens a sense of belonging and Jewish pride. “

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Festival of Spoken Ivrit