Jose Antonio Caravan 2025
Foward the close of the summer season—and in the final week of September 2025—the annual ceremony of the José Antonio Viñas Caravan was solemnly convened. This distinguished gathering brought together ensembles and musical collectives from across Europe, each participating with profound dedication and artistic integrity, united in a shared commitment to preserving the legacy and cherished memory of our beloved Antonio José Viñas Mira of Ourense, Spain.
Antonio’s name resonated far beyond borders, rising metaphorically above the mountains of the Galilee through heritage and folkloric music, woven into the rich, multicultural tapestry he so deeply admired and cultivated. The entire caravan unfolded under the guiding “motto” drawn from his own words: “Sing, dance, play”—a succinct yet powerful expression of his lifelong devotion to artistic vitality, communal joy, and cultural dialogue.
“Logos Folklore ” & “Neve Habedouim” Festivals.
The caravan was initially hosted by the Logos Festival during one of the evenings of the renowned Logos Folklore Festival in Israel. A special evening was dedicated exclusively to the caravan, realized through an exemplary collaboration with the local administration and the supporting cultural body, culminating in an extraordinary international musical event of rare distinction.
Subsequently, the participating artists performed the Bedouin Festival held in the village of Al-Batuf. Nestled at the foot of the Al-Batuf Plain in the Golani region (near the Sea of Galilee, Tiberias), the setting offered an authentic rural-agricultural landscape of remarkable natural serenity, enriching the cultural exchange with a profound sense of place.
The two local producers, Advocate Nidal Kassem and Ameen Kassem, were honored with the distinguished decoration “Knights of World Culture” bestowed by the International Folklore Union (IGF), in recognition of their exceptional contribution to fostering intercultural dialogue and safeguarding the shared heritage of global folk traditions.
The event was further graced by the presence of federations, distinguished musicians, and official representatives from Poland, Ukraine, Romania, France, Moldova, Argentina, and Spain—an assembly that vividly embodied the universal spirit of cultural kinship and artistic solidarity upon which the caravan was founded.
During the closing gala, the participating ensembles were accorded a ceremonious and dignified conclusion, conferring both honor and enduring recognition upon those whose steadfast dedication has significantly advanced the cause of folklore—most especially the preservation and global elevation of traditional folk music. This culminating tribute stood as a solemn acknowledgment of their invaluable contributions to the safeguarding of humanity’s intangible cultural heritage.
Trombiniada ” Book Launch ”
On the final Friday evening of September 2025, within the framework of the aforementioned activities, a festive launch was held for the new book by Professor Dr. Dorel Cozma, a satirical Romanian work entitled “The Tromboniade.” The evening was conducted and graciously hosted in Israel by Dr. Shalyot Afif. The ceremony took place along the central Ben-Gurion Boulevard in the coastal city of Haifa, lending the occasion both symbolic prominence and an atmosphere of refined cultural celebration.
Writers and poets—Jewish, Christian, Muslim, and European—took an active part in the book presentation, joining the assembled guests in an especially warm and convivial ambiance. The gathering paid tribute to the distinctive beauty and singular character embedded within this remarkable literary creation, The Tromboniade, celebrating its originality, wit, and cultural resonance.
