The Archivist is a nighttime, intimate journey into the depths of the vault of Hebrew literature. In the place where the personal archives of our greatest writers and poets are preserved, a fascinating world of creative passion and burning spirit is revealed — the very forces that laid the foundations of Hebrew culture.

As part of the performance, the audience is invited to a rare, one-time glimpse into the hidden treasures of the archive through an intimate encounter with The Archivist. This mysterious character will unveil the archival space — closed to the general public throughout the year — and transform it before the audience’s eyes.
Viewers take part in uncovering the ancient secrets of the archive, peeking into personal letters of the giants of Hebrew poetry and literature: Rachel, Shaul Tchernichovsky, Lea Goldberg, Avot Yeshurun, Kaniuk, Brenner, Zelda, and many others — in an emotional journey with a surprising and unexpected ending.

The Gnazim Archive Institute was founded in 1951 by the Hebrew Writers Association, following the vision of author and editor Asher Barash. The institute houses some 900 personal archives of authors, poets, playwrights, researchers, and thinkers. These archives preserve the priceless documents of Hebrew literature: drafts, manuscripts, letters, documents, drawings, photographs, and personal certificates — through which the personal stories and creative legacies of Hebrew cultural figures in Israel and around the world are revealed.

“The amazing encounter and connection that formed with the Itim Ensemble is one of the most beautiful — and undoubtedly original — ways to fulfill what I see as a crucial mission: making the treasures of the archive accessible and presenting them to the wider public. Thanks to The Archivist, the archive comes to life…”
— Institute Chairwoman, author Adiva Geffen

The performance is limited to 24 participants only.

Would you like to bring The Archivist to your library?
Feel free to contact us:
[email protected] or Ayelet: 050-764-6215

The project is in collaboration with the Gnazim Institute-Writers’ Association and the Beit Ariela Library.

The archive was established in 1951 by the Hebrew Writers Association in Israel, at the initiative of the writer and editor Asher Barash. Nearly 900 archival collections of writers, poets, essayists and playwrights are preserved here. The collections include drafts, manuscripts, letters, various personal documents and photographs that reveal the stories and creative legacies of Hebrew cultural figures in Israel and worldwide.

“The remarkable connection formed with the Itim Ensemble represents one of the most beautiful – and undoubtedly original – ways to fulfill what I see as the institute’s essential mission: making the archive’s treasures accessible to the wider public. Through The Archivist, the archive truly comes to life…”

Adiva Geffen, Institute Chairwoman and Author

For the “Gnazim” project website, click here.