Bell Cave Comes to Life for the Fifth Time: Israel Nature and Parks Authority Launches "Nari" Art Installation at Beit Guvrin National Park

July: The installation is the result of a collaboration between artists Idan Raichel, Merav Shaham, and Eli Haziza, combining several of Raichel's well-known songs – re-recorded specifically for the installation with performances incorporating unique musical instruments. The exhibition open to the general public at Beit Guvrin National Park from July and will run until the end of November.

Nari is the upper, hard layer of the soft limestone rock in which the openings of the large bell caves that inspired the exhibition were carved. The exhibition deals with the "People of Silence" – a people who went through many wanderings and years of exile, returning to their homeland's landscape and entering the cave where visions and revelations are revealed to them, integrated with nature, animals, and the surrounding rocks. These revelations connect them to their sources, to nature, and to themselves. In the space of the Bell Cave, a unique video-sound installation is projected in a rich and mesmerizing visual language, accompanied by melodies and songs by Idan Raichel that were specially re-recorded for the exhibition – in original arrangements with traditional instruments from various places around the world. Raichel's voice, together with the artistic imagery, creates a sensory experience centered on an inner and social journey of returning home, longing, meaning, and hope.

"And it came to pass in the days of wandering, on the seventh night of the month of silence, that the children of the People of Silence returned to their land and found many caves, a thousand in number. And these caves were not like the caves that the children of men had known." (From the installation's writings)

Idan Raichel: "Happy and proud to take part in the magical 'Nari' exhibition in the Bell Caves at Beit Guvrin. For the exhibition, we recorded beloved songs in new arrangements and with traditional musical instruments in an atmosphere adapted to the caves. The multi-sensory exhibition envelops visitors through the music and imagery projected on the walls. The songs and story at the heart of the exhibition deal with the search for home, roots, human connection, and connection to nature – as anchors that give us meaning and hope, even in stormy times."

Curator: Hilly Wartman Moyal | Artistic Management: Yair Moss | Project Management and Content Production: Carmi Wartman

Merav Shaham, installation artist: "The exhibition is called 'Nari' after the hard rock layer. For me, it's also a symbol of the triumph of matter – a formal layer that has stability, endurance, and memory, like our people who have known many hardships and prove their strength anew each time. The installation offers a moment of renewal, calling us to return to the earth within us, and find in it a source of national healing and reconnection to ourselves after the very strong and turbulent storm our people have gone through in recent years."

Tomer Sargosti, Manager of Beit Guvrin National Park at the Israel Nature and Parks Authority: " Israel's nature and heritage sites provide breathing space and allow all visitors the opportunity to enjoy the natural wealth found throughout the country. We are happy to launch this year's art exhibition in the Bell Caves complex at Beit Guvrin during evening and nighttime hours, providing visitors with an exceptional opportunity to feel the natural environment and add another layer of inspiring and moving culture and creation. This year too, we ensured an empowering experience through advanced and new multimedia systems installed in the cave in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism. Additionally, visitors can purchase a luxurious picnic package that can be pre-ordered and will be waiting at the National Park's service center."

Beit Guvrin National Park – Maresha, A Joint Creation of Nature and Humanity

Beit Guvrin is the heart of the "Land of a Thousand Caves," presenting an ancient architectural wonder of countless caves used for various purposes over approximately 2,000 years. In 1989, the site was declared a National Park to preserve its impressive archaeological remains and protect the surrounding natural forest.

The park area contains the ancient Tel Maresha, numerous caves and underground spaces, a Roman amphitheater, and many other valuable archaeological finds. In June 2014, the site was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site – becoming a symbol of the connection between ancient cultures and the Israeli present.

The park features a comfortable and pleasant picnic area from which you can see the local nature at its most beautiful and even stay to watch the sunset. To complete the visit experience, you can purchase a picnic basket for couples or groups of four on-site, including quality cheeses, wine, and more.

Art in the Bell Cave

The Bell Caves at Beit Guvrin, named for their unique shape, were carved in the soft stone beneath the surface already in ancient times. In the past, they served for storage, crafts, and water cisterns. Since August 2020, the cave complex also serves as an exceptional display space for original, site-specific art, illuminated with dedicated lighting for nighttime hours – while

preserving the natural environment and quality of experience. The exhibitions invite visitors on a different kind of journey – a connection between nature, culture, and creation. https://parks.qrd.by/narirpFor more details and tickets: