“In Suitcase” festival was founded In 2022 by a group of professionals, who had repatriated after the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, as a dedicated to children’s literature in the Russian language. The festival participants can meet authors, book illustrators, educators, and other creators of content for children. They can also purchase books from independent Russian-language publishers as well as artworks and crafts. The festival is a major cultural event that attracts hundreds of mainly young families and it offers masterclasses, round tables, lectures, theater and musical performances.
In 2023, the NADAV Foundation and the ANU Museum of Jewish People began collaborating with the “In Suitcase” team and organized three large festivals. The first festival, held on Purim in 2023 at the ANU Museum, featured actors, writers, musicians, playwrights, and Israeli theaters, making it a true theatrical celebration.
The second “In Suitcase” festival, held in 2023 at the ANU Museum, was organized in partnership with the “KeitANU” project for children and teenagers. This festival took place during Hanukkah and included a musical concert, plays, a lecture by a rabbi, and the lighting of Hanukkah candles. A charity lottery was also held to support families who had been evacuated from the South and North of Israel.
In 2024, the ANU Museum hosted a two-day “Purim in the Museum” festival, highlighting Purim, theater, and cinema. Festival-goers had the opportunity to watch performances by various Israeli theaters and meet with writers, actors, and directors. The “KeitANU” project offered masterclasses for children and teenagers.
The NADAV Foundation and the ANU Museum of Jewish People are excited to continue their collaboration with the “In Suitcase” festival and the “KeitANU” project and are looking forward to creating more unforgettable festivals and events where people of all ages can experience the vibrant cultural life of Israel, make new friends, and showcase their talents.
*Photos by Alexander Khanin and Alexandra Muravyova
