Eilat-Antibes Twin Cities Alliance

The city of Eilat in Israel and the city of Antibes in France have been twin cities for more than thirty years. A friendship that was cultivated in recent years by both Mayors expanded collaborations with an emphasis on tourism and culture, encompassing reciprocal visits and public delegations, youth exchange programs, mutual marketing efforts at tourism fairs and the mutual promotion of Jazz festival events in both cities.

Last year, Antibes Square was inaugurated in the city of Eilat, featuring an artistic monument created by sculptor Jacques Guardiola, a gift from the city of Antibes. Representatives of Antibes are always honored guests at the Red Sea Jazz Festival, including performances of young ensembles from Antibes.

Eilat Mayor, Mr. Meir Yitzhak Halevi emphasizes the significance of the cultural link with the city of Antibes, and the similarities between the cities: “I have much appreciation for the importance of fostering twin cities alliances. While the city of Eilat is actively implementing this kind of alliance with 13 cities around the world, our longstanding friendship with the city of Antibes has proven productive, unique and inspiring.”

Antibes Jazz Festival

The Antibes jazz festival, Jazz à Juan, established in the 1960s, is one of the most acclaimed and long-standing festivals around the world, a legendary and prestigious cultural event. Claude Nobs, founder of the Montreux Jazz Festival, once said that if he had not passed through Antibes, Montreux would not exist. Antibes has been a stage for an impressive line-up of the best of jazz, featuring the greatest musicians such as Ray Charles, Charles Mingus, Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald, Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, and this is to name a few.

The city of Antibes and the city of Eilat maintain a long tradition of collaboration and friendship. Both Jazz à Juan and the Red Sea Jazz festivals are part of the ongoing cultural exchange between the cities. This year, the 2017 Jazz à Juan in Antibes hosted the Eli Degibri Quartet while the 2017 summer Red Sea Jazz Festival welcomes the Ludovic Beier Trio with Gauthier Roubichou.