According to Raphael Gamzou, Israeli representative to Taiwan, through these cultural events "the Taiwanese people will know the reality of Israel."

"We attach a great deal of importance to the exposure of Israel creativity and novelty in Taiwan, not only through our cutting-edge high-technology, but through artistic expressions and cultural events," Gamzou told CNA reporters.

The State of Israel was founded in 1948 after millions of Jews died in the Holocaust during World War II. The history of the Jewish people includes thousands of years of persecution and exile.

In a lead up to the anniversary celebrations, an exhibition entitled "The 60th Anniversary of Israel -- Birth of a State Photo Exhibitions of Paul Goldman and David Rubinger & the Art Design: Dan Reisinger" was launched at the Taipei Fine Arts Museum (TFAM) on March 13. The exhibition features photographs that document key moments in Israel's history, as seen through the lens of two photo journalists.

At the opening of the exhibition, Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin praised the Middle Eastern country as a nation others should learn from, given its economic prosperity, democracy, and technological advancements.

"The exhibition gives Taiwanese audiences an opportunity to appreciate Israeli culture" Hau said.

An original and stimulating work choreographed by Yossi Berg and Oded Graf, Israeli resident artists at the Taipei Artist Village (TAV), was also staged on March 28 at the TAV. Berg and Graf are also expected, during the coming weekend, to show part of a new creation they began working on while in residence at the artist village.

"Israel is such a multi-dimensional country that all forms of Israeli art are vigorous and admirable," said Su Yao-hua, director of the TAV under the supervision of the Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA), in an interview with CNA reporters.

Starting April 3, a contemporary version of Sophocles' Antigone, a joint production of Israeli Habima National Theatre and Hkameri Tel-Aviv Municipal Theatre, which has already earned great acclaim in Israel and elsewhere, will be staged at the International Theater Festival at the National Theater of the Chiang Kai Shek Cultural Center.

"An Israeli movie 'Beaufort,' a nominee for the best foreign movie few weeks ago at the Oscars in Hollywood, will also be screened in Taipei in April," Gamzou said.

In May, virtuosi percussionist "Percaduo" from Israel will take part in a percussion festival at the CKS Cultural Center, while a photographic exhibition and concerts by the famous Jewish violinist Maurice Sklar from the U.S. are planned for Tainan. Meanwhile, according to Gamzou, an installation of the Israel multi-disciplined "Zik" artists group will be loaned on a long term basis to the Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts (KMFA) in the southern port city.

In June, the Taipei International Film Festival, organized by the DCA, will focus on Israeli movies, and the first lady of Israeli cinema, actress Gila Almagor has been invited as an honorary guest.

ISECO, in cooperation with the Buddhist Compassion relief Tzu Chi Foundation, has made it possible for vocalist David D'or to visit Taiwan for the fourth time to hold charity concerts in the central counties of Taichung and Changhua, and in Kaohsiung City in the south.

Gamzou said that, last but not the least, the Efroni Children's Choir is slated to perform in the International Choir Festival organized by the Taipei Philharmonic Foundation for Culture and Education in August.

"We are happy and grateful to all the local cultural institutions and venues that collaborate with us so enthusiastically, helping us introduce importance aspects of our reality to the Taiwanese public," Raphael Gamzou said.