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Hananel Edri: ‘Music chose me’
OWN CORRESPONDENT
How would you describe yourself and what you do?
I am a performing artist – I sing, act and do musicals – and ever since I was a toddler I used to put on shows at home. I really enjoyed how my family reacted to things that I did naturally.
What drew you to South Africa?
When I did the Maccabiah ceremony in 2009, the production company I worked with had connections with South Africa, which brought me here. When I got here and connected with people, met the Zionist Fed, worked with Bryan Schimmel and all these people instantly became friends. Now, on my fourth trip, coming here is like coming home.
What are your plans while you’re here?
My main focus is the Yom Ha’atzmaut – ensuring it is the best it can be. I’m working with South African musicians here, so the whole schedule revolves around rehearsals. But, I also spend time with friends and, after the show, I can go to Cape Town for a little down time. Then to Amsterdam for a show and on to Canada.
What is Yom Ha’atzmaut like for you here and at home?
Yom Ha’atzmaut brings out the unification of Israelis and Jews because first of all we’re celebrating the establishment of our State. Yom Ha’atzmaut starts as a sad reminder of the price we have to pay in order to have our country, but then your heart explodes. You’re happy to be alive, to have a place you can call home.
I am privileged to share Yom Ha’atzmaut with people who haven’t had the opportunity to celebrate it in Israel. To me it’s a bit of a schlichut to create some of that vibe I’ve been feeling since I was born.
What do you think about South Africa?
I obviously love South Africa. I was supposed to do Yom Ha’atzmaut in the US but this was the place I wanted to spend Yom Ha’atzmaut.
I’m really inspired by this place. I feel like Cape Town is a bit of a different story, it’s more touristy and like a different country. It doesn’t have the same atmosphere as Johannesburg. In Johannesburg I feel like people are living life in the moment, whereas Cape Town is more laid back.
You spent a few years living in the US, why did you go back to Israel?
The reason why I left Israel to live in New York was academic. I studied musical theatre on Broadway and got into the Circle and the Square Theatre School. I’ve always been attached to Israel emotionally, but I wanted to experience learning musical theatre in the best place in the world so I moved to New York. After I graduated I started performing there.
During my last two years there, I got a lot of work in Israel, so I flew back and forth eight times in one year. At some point I said to myself I’m 29, I need to decide whether I stay in the US or go home. So, for my 30th birthday, I gave myself a gift, I went to India and Sri Lanka for three months and then I moved back to Israel to started afresh in Tel Aviv.
What do you love about Israel and what do you want South Africans to know about your home country?
Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East. Besides that, we suffer from a really bad image and bad PR worldwide. It always saddens me to see how people abroad perceive Israel, which is a contradiction of what it is like to live there.
Israel is an amazing country. Politics aside, our history forces us to be dealing with issues that other countries don’t – our right to exist. Life in Israel is really special and safe. And people there are united and happy, celebrating life and culture. Even the culinary world is booming.
What is not so appealing about your life as an artist?
A lot of travelling – it can be exhausting. Sometimes there are back-to-back months of travelling, rehearsals and shows. Sometimes I just don’t want to live out of a suitcase and just stay in one place, but when I go on stage I forget all about that.
How would you describe the music you create and sing?
Music is just another way to communicate with people. It’s a universal language. My music is pop-soul. It’s my heart in my music.
What has been your favourite time in your career and why?
Every day is my favourite. I’m always focused on the now. Every day is a new day, every day you start fresh.
What do you wish for yourself in the future?
To continue doing what I do and continue with the privilege of bringing smiles to people and to get them up, happy and dancing. I also just want to stay happy and to keep that energy going.
