Jerusalem International Oud Festival

פסטיבל העוד הבינלאומי ירושלים

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Religious & SpiritualJerusalem
DatesDates TBA · Usually NovemberCheck locally before booking
DurationAutumnEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forCeremony, pilgrimageThe festival's defining feature is its focus
Language["he"]Currency: ILS
CategoryReligious & SpiritualFestival type
The story

Jerusalem International Oud Festival in Jerusalem

Confederation House founded the Jerusalem International Oud Festival in 2000 to showcase the oud, a fretless stringed instrument central to Middle Eastern and Mediterranean musical traditions, and the cultures that play it. What began as a two-day event confined to Confederation House has expanded to span multiple venues including the Jerusalem Theater, the National Library and a converted distillery.

Confederation House, a Jerusalem institution built around ethnic music, world music, poetry and Jewish thought, founded the Jerusalem International Oud Festival in 2000 under CEO and artistic director Effie Benaya specifically to bring the oud, a pear-shaped fretless stringed instrument central to Middle Eastern, North African and broader Mediterranean musical traditions, into a dedicated concert setting alongside the varied cultures that play it.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

The festival's defining feature is its focus on a single instrument, the oud, as a meeting point across Arab, Jewish, Ladino, Persian, Turkish and other regional musical traditions that share it, rather than programming around one genre or nationality

02

The mystery stays covered

Its growth from a two-day, single-venue debut into a multi-site event across Jerusalem also reflects a deliberate expansion strategy tied to the instrument's cross-cultural reach, extending its programming into venues that rarely otherwise host ethnic or world music

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The festival draws on and juxtaposes multiple regional musical heritage traditions

Water and renewal

Living ritual

including Arab

The sacred route

Living ritual

Persian and Turkish oud playing styles

The local code

Living ritual

treating the shared instrument itself as a form of cultural bridge-building

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually November

Getting around

Move patiently around ceremony routes and leave space for worshippers and participants.

What to wear

Smart-casual attire suits the mix of concert hall and more intimate venue settings used across the festival's various Jerusalem locations.

Safety

Watch local behavior before photographing, filming, or entering sacred spaces.

Where to stay

Stay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Tickets/cost

Public ritual moments are often free, but donations, transport, or temple access may vary.

Language/currency

["he"] · ILS

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map31.77 N, 35.22 EOpen in Google Maps

Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel

Nearest airportTLV — Ben Gurion
TransportMove patiently around ceremony routes and leave space for worshippers and participants.
Stay areaStay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Jerusalem via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Jerusalem, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for November.Compare faresFestival gearSmart-casual attire suits the mix of concert hall and more intimate venue settings used across the festival's various Jerusalem locations.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Israel and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Jerusalem International Oud Festival?

Jerusalem International Oud Festival is listed for November · Autumn. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Jerusalem International Oud Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Jerusalem, Israel. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Autumn is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Needs editorial review. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLAwaiting confirmation
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually November
Source statusNeeds editorial review
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