Australia Israel Cultural Exchange

 

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Alexander Downer, Canberra
Media release

2 December 2002


AUSTRALIA AND ISRAEL SET UP CULTURAL EXCHANGE

I am pleased to join with the Ambassador of Israel, His Excellency, Mr Gabby Levy, to welcome the establishment of the Australia Israel Cultural Exchange (AICE) Program today.

The link between Australia and Israel has always been warm and strong and the formation of the Australia Israel Cultural Exchange will add depth to this relationship.

AICE will foster cultural links between the two countries across a broad range of artistic pursuits that will include literature, film, music, art, visual culture, performing arts and architecture.

This program will be a two-way exchange commencing with a visit by the Israeli jazz group "Nuvea" to the Perth International Arts Festival and the Melbourne International Jazz Festival in January 2003. In September 2003 an exhibition of Indigenous Australian art will tour Israel.

There are proposals for Indigenous Australian artists to visit Israel and plans for a leading Israeli Documentary Film festival to tour Australia. The Israel Museum is also keen to showcase Australian culture at a festival in 2005.

I am delighted that Mr Albert Dadon is the Founder and Chairman of the Board of AICE in Australia.

Board members include art historian, Dr Gene Sherman, renowned conductor, Maestro Vladimir Vais, theatrical entrepreneur, Mr Peter Ivany and the accomplished concert performer, Ms Aura Levin Lipski.
The Australia Israel Cultural Exchange (AICE) was launched at 5:30pm on Monday,
2 December 2002 in Private Dining Room 1, Parliament House, Canberra. A representative of the Israeli Government and some members of the Israeli Board of AICE l participated in the launch via a live video link with Israel.