Israeli theatre scholar Professor Roy Horovitz brings cultural exchange to Ghana

The ceremony was jointly organised by the Embassy of Israel in Ghana, the German Embassy and the UN

Israeli theatre scholar Professor Roy Horovitz brings cultural exchange to Ghana

Accra turned into a stage for cultural exchange as the city hosted Professor Roy Horovitz, a renowned

Israeli actor, director, and Head of the Theatre Department at Bar-Ilan University, during his first-ever

visit to the country.

The week-long visit, under the auspices of the Embassy of Israel in Ghana held from 25–29 January 2026,

was marked by an intensive programme of academic engagement, cultural exchange, and public

dialogue, highlighting the growing collaboration between Israel and Ghana in the arts.

Professor Horovitz led two-part theatre workshops at the School of Performing Arts, University of Ghana and

the National Theatre of Ghana – two of Accra’s most important cultural institutions. Each workshop

comprised a formal lecture and a hands-on practical session, engaging more than 100 students in total.

Under the theme “Welcome to Theatreland – The Theatrical Scene in Israel Today,” Professor Horovitz

introduced participants to Israel’s vibrant theatre culture, often described as a creative powerhouse

with nightly productions in Tel Aviv.

The sessions featured video excerpts from Israeli plays, text

readings with students, warm-up exercises, interactive quizzes, and open discussions, creating an

energetic and immersive learning environment.

A particularly moving moment during the visit of Professor Horovitz occurred on 27 January 2026, during the

International Holocaust Remembrance Day commemoration.

The ceremony, jointly organised by the Embassy of Israel in Ghana, the German Embassy and the United

Nations, was held at the residence of the German Ambassador and attended by over 300 guests from

diverse backgrounds including teachers and students from Accra Girls’ Senior High School, Achimota

School as well as students from the Department of History and Religion of the University of Ghana.

In addition to official remarks, a panel discussion featured a Ghanaian professor of Holocaust Studies at

the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST – the only university in Ghana that

undertakes Holocaust Studies), Professor Samuel Adu Gyamfi and Professor Horovitz, who spoke on “the

Holocaust in our lives and in Israeli theatre.” The discussion was led by Israeli Ambassador to Ghana,

Roey Gilad.

The solemn event included Barbra Streisand’s rendition of “Our Fathers, Our Kings,” music from

Schindler’s List, and a Vivaldi composition, performed by the Accra City Singers and the International

Strings Quartet, leaving a deep emotional impact on the audience.

Cultural dialogue continued at a dinner hosted at the Israeli Ambassador’s residence, attended by Professor

Horovitz and leading figures from Ghana’s theatre community, including actors, directors and producers.

Participants included James Ebo Whyte, Latif Abubakar, Akofa Edjeani-Asiedu, Adjetey Anang, Henry

Herbert Malm among others.

Conversations focused on Israeli satirical theatre and explored opportunities for future artistic

collaboration between the two countries.

The Ghanaian theatre professionals relished the moment

spent with Professor Horovitz and expressed their willingness to working and collaborating with their Israeli

counterparts.

“We are already discussing [the possibility] of staging an Israeli play at the University of Ghana. May be

co-directing with someone from the faculty or sending people from here [Ghana} to experience the very

rich diverse theatre that we have. So as far as cultural exchange is concerned, the sky is the limit,” Professor

Horovitz said.

“I can already see the common grounds that we share – the same artistic views… People are warm and

equipped with great sense of humor. It’s been a wonderful beginning of a wonderful friendship…” he

added.

The Public Diplomacy & Culture attaché at the Embassy of Israel in Ghana, Mrs Nitza Gilad thanked the

various stakeholders for their knowledge-sharing sessions and called for a continuous collaboration

between Israel and Ghanaian theatre professionals.

“We would like to thank the Dean of the School of Performing Arts at the University of Ghana, Dr

Sylvanus Kwashie Kuwor, and the Acting Director of the National Theatre, Henry Herbert Malm, for

their warm collaboration. We also convey our deep appreciation to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of

Israel for its invaluable funding and unwavering support,” Gilad added.

Prof. Roy Horovitz’s visit underscored the power of theatre and culture as bridges between nations,

leaving a lasting impression on Ghana’s academic and artistic communities, and opening new pathways

for cultural cooperation between Ghana and Israel.