The festive opening event planned for 26/9/24 has been canceled due to the worsening security situation • Update regarding a new date - according to developments
The event was canceled in light of the directives of the Home Front Command and the Municipality of Haifa, according to which the gates of the museums will be closed in light of the escalation of the security situation in Haifa and the surrounding area. • Updates regarding the reopening of the museums and new dates for events will be provided later and in accordance with developments.
Such a spectacle has not been seen in Haifa for many years - on 26/9/24 a caravan of horses will travel around the city of Haifa
On 26/9/24, a particularly nostalgic exhibition will open at the Haifa City Museum, called "Susita - the exhibition".
The Israeli car industry is intertwined in the life story of the State of Israel from the day it was founded. The fascinating story of the establishment of this industry in Haifa allows us to glimpse the vision that sought to make Israel part of the global automotive club. The Susita car, which was manufactured at the "Autocars" factory in Haifa, has become over the years a distinct Israeli symbol that evokes a smile and represents the Israeliness of the past. In this exhibition, visitors will learn about Susita's story, intertwined with the history of the Haifa Bay area and the stories of the people behind the legend of the Israeli car.
Susita and Haifa - what is the connection?
The director Avi Weisblai, the creator of the documentary film "Susita", a member of the curator of the Haifa City Museum Yifat Ashkenazi, in the creation of the exhibition. The film, which was launched during the Corona epidemic, traces the roots of the Israeli automobile industry that began in Haifa, in Yitzhak Shobinski's factory.
According to Ashkenazi:
The Susita car is a distinct Israeli brand, which, despite the short period in which the car was manufactured, arouses interest and nostalgic smiles in us to this day. In the exhibition, we will present the story of the Israeli automobile industry, which actually began in Haifa, and the rise and fall of the Autocars company, which produced the various Susita models. The exhibition includes various aspects, such as: the historical story, the story of the horse collectors, the unique material used to build the cars - this is fiberglass, press clippings and archival films, original models of horse cars that will be displayed in the museum yard, digital games created especially for the exhibition and much more.
Susita - Gentlemen, history repeats itself!
According to Yotam Yakir, CEO of Haifa Museums: "The Haifa City Museum has created a unique 'niche', and knows how to tell a fascinating Haifa historical story from an interesting artistic angle. In addition, the city museum specializes in creating community and public collaborations with institutions and organizations, in a way that popularizes the exhibitions among different publics and, of course, also upgrades the experience of the visit. This time, at the Susita exhibition, we created many particularly intriguing and interesting collaborations."
For example: two Susita cars, courtesy of Technode Hadera (the Avraham "Bundy" Livnet Transport Museum), from Eitan Wertheimer's vehicle collection, will be displayed in the museum courtyard. In addition, thanks to a collaboration with the "Five Club: Israel's collector car club" and the "Fiberclub" club of Sosita car collectors" and courtesy of Sami Ofer Stadium - the opening event will begin with a festive procession of horses that will travel around the city.
Another interesting collaboration is that of the Haifa City Museum with Yad Ben Zvi's "Israel Naglit La'in" website. Private family photos are regularly uploaded to the site. For the purpose of the exhibition, a dedicated album will be opened on the website, where visitors can upload personal photos of themselves with Susita cars.
Susita Hayom - students design for the exhibition
And of course, the highlight is the collaboration with two educational institutions in Haifa: "As part of the exhibition, we wanted to offer a contemporary look at the story of the Susita car, and not just go back in time," says Ashkenazi, "because the Susita has become such a symbol, we were interested in opening a door to contemporary interpretations.
We created two wonderful collaborations with academic institutions and engaged the students in the unique projects: "In one, students from the Department of Visual Communication Design at the Haifa University School of Design rebranded Sosita in different ways when selected works were presented in the exhibition. "In the second, students from the School of Design and Development Games at Tilathan, the College of Design and Visual Communication, have created computer games and a mobile game that visitors to the exhibition can enjoy."
Susita - even for those who do not yet have a license...
The exhibition is accompanied by an activity booklet for children in which they can think for themselves about their own new invention and in a creative way discover details about the story of the Sosita car. In addition, next to the exhibition space, an activity and craft room adapted for families will be opened and allows independent creation on the subject of Susita and cars. For example: folding a car, postcards for coloring and sending and more. In the courtyard of the museum, next to real Susita models, there will be an activity of building a Haifa modular car track where the children can decide what their ride will be.
"Susita - the exhibition"
Haifa City Museum - 11 Ben Gurion Ave. Haifa
Opening to the general public: 26.9.24 at 19:00
Closing of the exhibition: 31.5.25
Curators: Yifat Ashkenazi and Avi Weissabalai
Exhibition consultant: Yohai Shanar
A teaser video for the exhibition ► Watch
Reporters and photographers are invited to cover the mares' journey in coordination. Some reporters will be able to enjoy a one-time experience of a historic ride inside one of the horses.
Is there a new opening date??
What's going on with the huge hotel next to the city museum?
It has been under construction for 8 years and has not been opened and there is nothing there
Maybe they will turn it into affordable housing for discharged combat soldiers after the war?
Nor the "Japan Day" planned for today.
The factory was established in Haifa on Jaffa Road 145, (Ford), in 1966 it moved to Carmel Castle.
I remember that on the second floor of the Foundation House there was a display of Susita. They also presented a front wing of the vehicle and let visitors slam it on the floor to see how strong fiberglass is...
It was possible to put the Tower of David as a symbol of Jerusalem in the video instead of Al Aksa Mosque
The reason is probably a tax on Yona Rahab's coalition with his Muslim partners in the city council in Haifa... which was reconquered by the Arabs of the Galilee
Good Morning!
You have a fatal mistake. The factory was in the Carmel Castle on today's Motzkin Street
Susita was created and built in the Carmel Castle. Not in Haifa. in the Carmel Castle. Haifa is trying to take even this small thing and appropriate it for herself.
Arak Eyal also started in Haifa and is produced in the Carmel Castle. Defection of reindeer is a good reason to be proud 😉 together with the legendary root sandals!
My dad had a great car
Hello, can I have a link to the curator of the exhibition on Susita?
the dome of the rock???? How is it related??
Trolls in every corner of the Israeli cyberspace.
Thanks for the article, it's a shame it's not listed until when the exhibition is held?
This teaser is just genius.
of genius.
I'm curious if the graphic artist mistakenly put Al-Aqsa instead of the golden dome of the Bahá'ís at 0:15, what is the spaceship at 0:16 and who is it that comes out of the pit at 0:17 and of course how are these two related to Susita at all??
It's not al-Aqsa either. This is the Dome of the Rock with its golden dome. Al-Aqsa Mosque has a silver dome.