The heart (and soul) of Tel Aviv - walk the white city
Hi, my name is Ram and I've been walking the streets of Tel Aviv since I skipped classes at my suburban elementary school and took the bus to the big city, about 30 years ago! I live near the beach and HaCarmel Market, and breathe the city every day. For over 10 years I've been walking the city with various groups, and I still discover and learn new things every time. Join me for walks that are both fun and meaningful. I believe that understanding a place's complexity is crucial if want to transform the world and make it better. I'm a culture researcher and activist. When I'm not walking the city or travelling the world, I facilitate dialogue group work, officiate weddings, and co-create participatory art events. Let's walk!
Pickup
We will meet on the small square at the corner of Trumpeldor and Hovevei Zion streets. I will be holding a purple bottle with a golden scarf attached to it.
Description
The people of Jerusalem say:
Yes, Tel Aviv, it's just a wheel...
There are almost no professors in it,
And there are no prophets at all.
It has no more than a pinch of history,
There is no seriousness to it. No weight.
So very true, sir and madam,
No, there's nothing in it... nothing... but...
Still, there's something in it
Yes, there is something in it..
(Nathan Alterman)
Tel Aviv is a place you either love or hate. Walking in its streets, the city reveals itself to its lovers. It's history and stories, vibrant and conflicted present, and emerging future(s).
LEV HA'IR (the heart of the city) is a quarter that was built mostly between the world wars and is going through a hyper-state of preservation and development.
We will begin at Trumpeldor cemetery, a memory lane for the founders and innovators of modern Hebrew culture. From there, we will walk through UNESCO's world heritage White city, where Bauhaus architecture meets pristine sidewalks. Our path will lead us through Bialik, Dizengoff (where we will take a short coffee break) and Massariq squares, until our final stop at Rabin Square, where Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated, and visit his memorial statue (total about 2.5 Km).
In the walk, we will explore the hidden text that is encrypted in buildings and monuments, and tell the story of Tel Aviv from both inspired and critical points of view. So whether you're looking to better understand the city, get insights about the local culture and situation, or just want some good old-fashioned fun, we've got everything covered.
Please note: this walk is about 2.5km (1.5 mile) long.