Dana International to headline UK’s biggest celebration for Yom Ha’atzmaut
Justin Cohen is the News Editor at the Jewish News
by Justin Cohen
Dana International is to headline the UK’s biggest celebration for Yom Ha’atzmaut.
The singer, who rose to fame by winning the Eurovision Song Contest in London in 1998, will return to the capital to perform at the Zionist Federation’s celebration of Israel 68th birthday. Around 1,000 guests will party to her winning hit Diva as well as a section of tunes from her eight studio albums during the Eurovision themed event on 12 May.
The event is media partnered by the Jewish News.
Dana International – one of the most famous trans women in the world who is seen as a reflection of the flourishing LGBT scene in Israel – said: “I’m so excited to be coming back to London to enjoy Yom Ha’atzmaut with all of you! England holds so many amazing memories for me, since it’s where I won the Eurovision contest in 1998. I can’t wait to bring some of that Eurovision magic for this unique celebration of Israel’s birthday!”
ZF Chairman Paul Charney added: “We are proud to once again be hosting the biggest celebration of Israel’s birthday in the UK. Yom Ha’atzmaut is our opportunity to celebrate all that is great about the Jewish state. This year our Eurovision Extravaganza theme will give supporters to opportunity to enjoy so many Israeli classics – and it couldn’t be Eurovision without Dana International!”
The news comes as it was announced that leading European artists representing their countries in next month’s Eurovision Song Contest are to perform in Tel Aviv weeks before.
The singers will join Hovi Star, Israel’s representative, on stage in Israel’s social centre from 11 to 13 April, before the contest takes place in Stockholm a month later. During the promotional visit, the artists will tour Tel Aviv by day and dine out by night, with a special red-carpet gala event hosted by Mayor Ron Huldai.
This is the largest Eurovision event to take place in Israel since the country hosted the contest in 1999.
- Booking site is tiny.cc/YH68 and there is an exclusive discount code for Jewish News readers which is YH68ZFJN, giving 10% off all tickets.
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