The Jewish Federations of SNEC contributed funding through Partnership 2000 to make possible the Second International Folklore Festival in Afula. The festival took place on Sunday, July 2, 2000. It opened with a parade of folklore groups from ten countries down Arlozrov Boulevard. Participating countries: Poland, Paraguay, Columbia, Romania, Italy, Armenia, Yisrael, Yugoslavia, Taiwan and Cameron were represented by groups of folk dancers and musicians dressed in colorful traditional dress. After the parade the audience and folklore groups gathered at the stage in HaBanim Memorial Park for the main show. Yitzchak Meron, Mayor of Afula, introduced Mark Rosen, SNEC chair and Steering Committee Co-Chair. Mark gave his greetings for the official opening of the festival. The dancers and musicians were lively and entertaining. It was truly uplifting to see that Israel is a magnet for such an international collection of song and dance.

  Tamuz 5760 - July 2000