Jugglers Unite In Jerusalem!

by Raphael Harris

The second Jerusalem Juggling Festival was more - more games, more days, more prizes, more workshops, more awards and more jugglers! 

Festival director Scott Seltzer of the Jerusalem Jugglers took far too many chances in expanding his plans beyond all reason- able expectations, but it paid off gloriously. 

One of the most pleasant surprises was the arrival of participants from abroad. The festival was publicized in juggling magazines, but it was the internet announcement which caught the eye of Francois Volet and Rena Penna of Perth, Australia. They were on their way from a performing arts festival in Indonesia to a season of festing and street performing in Europe, and decided to stop off in Jerusalem. Despite being more than 12,000 miles from home, they appeared completely at ease, and even gave a workshop and performed in the public show. Rena said, "We love traveling to festivals all over the world, making friends with people of different backgrounds and cultures, and promoting harmony and international communications on on a personal level. People aren't  so different once you get past external appearances. A child loves a balloon in the day in any language!" 

She and Francois have attended festival in Australia, Singapore and Europe, and told numerous stories of the juggling scene from these places.

There was also a strong turnout of familiar faces. The return to Jerusalem of Charley Sofar, founder of the Jerusalem Jugglers was a special treat. Charley, who now lives on the Golan Heights, presented a workshop and the finale of the public show. He studied clowning and performance with Fooltime in Bristol, England, and Philipe Gaulier in London, and proved that a totally ridiculous- looking person can, in fact, actually be totally ridiculous! 

n his workshop in comedy and performance hints, Charley stressed the importance of enjoying oneself on stage. His lived that in his public show performance, presenting a cornucopia of pathetically ruined tricks immediately followed by "accidentally" executed feats of astonishing skill. When reaching into his suitcase to fetch a prop, he bends over to discover that his hat and toupee have fallen off. In an effort to replace the fall en dignity he hastily puts his hat on first and his hair piece next! He discovers the mistake not long after and is assisted by a young volunteer who is rewarded by a balloon to be shaped like any animal in the world. When the lad chooses a rabbit, Charley informs him that a rabbit is, in fact, not an animal at all, but actually a vegetable! 

A large percentage of the audience of families and children left in tears of joy and laughter, and a deep sense of admiration for all the juggling artists they saw. The spectators and per- formers alike left wanting more. Just wait for next year!