Revelry on Mt. Meron

The book consists of photographs I took between 1983 and 2018 with an analog camera during the annual hilula celebration on Mount Meron. I went to Mount Meron for the first time when I returned from London and tried once again to reacquaint myself with the place. I was captivated by the powerful pilgrimage event and it took me a while to create the right space in relation to it. The book includes textual elements, a collection of the pilgrims’ dreams compiled by Professor Yoram Bilu. In addition, there is a poem by Siglit Banai, and my introduction, and a prayer that is sung during the hilula. In an unexpected turn of events, I announced the sale of the book on the same day as the disaster on Mount Meron (2021). Because of the book, I had left Mount Meron early that day and didn’t stay to photograph. You could say that the book saved my life. This is the first book of its kind, even though the event has been taking place since the 16th century and has been documented by many photographers over the years.