From the Stages to the Neighborhoods • What awaits Haifa residents this summer? • Special interview with Yossi Shalom

(haipo) Haifa Deputy Mayor and Culture Minister Yossi Shalom revealed in a special interview with Haifa the city's extensive summer events program. Shalom addressed residents' claims that certain areas are favored over others, explained where budgets for events canceled in the wake of the war were allocated, and promised support for Haifa artists and extensive cultural activity in all neighborhoods.

Auditorium Square becomes Haifa's cultural square

One of the main projects that the deputy mayor presented is the transformation of Auditorium Square into Haifa's Culture Square. According to Shalom, the halls there are filled with visitors every day, and the intention is to bring the cultural experience out into the public space and not keep it just inside the halls.

As part of the plan, a renovation will be carried out that includes making the place and the surrounding gardens accessible, creating seating and shade, and transforming the environment into a family and youthful experience. In addition, a cafe will be opened in place of the existing box offices, with the aim of attracting a wider audience. Shalom promised that the change will be visible already at the upcoming film festival: young people sitting and playing, classes going out into the open air, and activities for the whole family will be held in the nearby Mania Garden.

Canceled event budgets are being returned to residents through the summer program

Shalom addressed the burning question regarding the budgets for Independence Day and Purim, which were not implemented due to the war. According to him, part of the municipal budget for Independence Day has already been implemented, as it is divided into several categories. Memorial Day events took place and were paid for, and commitments were also made to professionals who worked on preparations, drawings, production, and security. However, the fact that the municipality managed to stop the event in time and prevent the construction of the stages saved significant funds. According to the instructions of the municipality's CEO and the mayor, all the money saved was transferred to the summer program for additional activities, so that the budget is fully returned to the benefit of the residents.

A summer packed with events: from the month of reading to the World Cup final

The summer program that was unveiled includes a wide and impressive range of events. Among them is Reading Month in Haifa, a full month of events at the Mother Garden, which will include three days of performances, films, plays and music performances, alongside activities by all the city libraries to read books to all ages.

In addition, events will be held such as: the Stair Race, tours by the Tourism Association, a new program by Ethos with a membership club, the Coli-Art that will be repeated several times in the Talpiot Market, the White Night that will increase its scope, summer performances at the Haifa Port, public singing at sea, a chocolate festival, the "Capital City" event, a concert open to the public, the broadcast of the World Cup final at the Sammy Ofer Stadium, dancing, a children's play festival, and an expanded camping at the municipal pool that was a success last year.
Two major festivals are planned in parallel in September, a film festival and a children's play festival.

The beaches will come back to life with youth complexes and performances.

Shalom also addressed residents' claims that the promenade area on the beach is underutilized and that its potential is far from being realized. According to him, the municipality is currently planning the construction of several new complexes along the beach: a dedicated complex for youth that will operate as a closed space adapted to their needs, and another complex where concerts, DJ events and dancing will take place. In addition, the three amphitheaters located on the waterfront will undergo adjustments, be reactivated and will host music and cultural events.

All of these programs are planned for this summer, both on the Haifa and Kiryat Haim beaches. There will also be activities on the Louis Promenade during the day. Shalom noted that it is a beautiful hill that people like to go to in the afternoon, but due to its proximity to hotels and residential neighborhoods, the activities will be limited to daytime hours only.

"We don't forget anyone" – a response to claims about favoring areas in the city

Shalom is required to address the repeated claim by residents and business owners that the municipality is investing mainly in the lower city and forgetting about the Carmel Center and other areas such as Hadar. The deputy mayor clarified that the lower city has a greater concentration of nightlife and restaurants, but this is due to market forces and not municipal preference; the municipality is not opening pubs and clubs.

Shalom added that Haifa has become a culinary powerhouse that attracts people from all over the country, and that the number of entertainment venues in the city is much greater than what was previously the case on the Moriah axis. He called on any business owner interested in opening a business in Carmel to contact him personally, and promised full assistance.

Shalom added that the last two years have been difficult because of the war, and many events planned for various neighborhoods have been canceled, but promised that this summer there will be activity throughout the city.

Support for Haifa artists and a new fund for event production

On the subject of supporting local artists, Shalom admitted that there is still room for improvement, but emphasized that the municipality is working to give Haifa artists a platform. He said that calls have been issued for artists, and all performances at events such as the White Night and other events are paid.

Shalom revealed that a dedicated financial fund will soon be established to help producers hold events in the city. As part of the move, the municipality will allocate suitable areas, provide financial support, and facilitate licensing processes. An orderly call for applications will be published to the public.
According to him, the shared goal of the city and the artists is to strengthen cultural life in Haifa and make art accessible to all residents. All information about the events will be distributed through sponsored advertising on social media, in the press and other media outlets, in order to reach the widest possible audience.