In my childhood I felt happy on Independence Day and proudly helped my father hang a large and beautiful flag on the facade of our house. As I grew up, other feelings began to accompany me on that day – feelings of pain and distress, and quandaries about the deeper meaning of Independence Day. I clearly remember the thrill I felt as a pupil towards Remembrance Day ceremony in school. Documentation of such a ceremony in a primary school in Tel Aviv this year revealed that the kids today still experience the same pristine joy and pure innocence.

Tel Aviv, Independence Day, 2003 is the first part of a trilogy addressing festivals in Israel. It continues my works “Identity” and “A Video Letter to Jacqueline,” which likewise tackled topical issues from a personal point of view.

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