Ashkelon summer: sand festival and young athletes’ wins

The second sand sculpture festival has opened at Ha-Golshim Beach in Ashkelon. According to Deputy Mayor Sofia Beylin, the beach area is decorated with works by artists from Boracay in the Philippines, with the sculptures illuminated in the evening. The programme also includes family activities: workshops for sand figures, kites and crafts, street music, dance performances and food stalls.

Another part of the city week focused on sport. Ashkelon’s Maccabi Acrokids tumbling team took part in the Israeli championship: Robert Gottlieb won the Israeli champion title in the “League — Juniors” category, Gal Avisadris became national runner-up, and Arik Gottlieb won in the national category. In the international category, according to the post’s organisers, Daniel Karasik took first place; Mark Gutbilik came second and Yaakov Maiko third.

At the Congress Center, Dance Club held its annual end-of-season concert under the direction of Ekaterina Shipulina. The post notes that the studio’s students competed around Israel this season and won two Grand Prix awards, three first places and one second place.

Near Dalila Beach, a memorial stele was unveiled in memory of Sara Arviv, an Ashkelon resident who promoted and popularised folk dancing for many years. The municipality also honoured 15-year-old tennis player Amir Keinan, who has joined Israel’s junior national team and is expected to represent the country at the European Championship in Czechia at the end of the month.

The next family event in the “Happy Summer in Ashkelon” series is scheduled for August 23. From 16:00 to 20:00, Makif Zain school is set to host “KKL Superheroes”, a festival organised with the Jewish National Fund – Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael and dedicated to nature and the environment. Registration is listed through the organisers’ link.