Since 2008, Neta Wiener has been developing Mother of Strangers — a unique walking performance created in collaboration with fellow artists, historians, and members of the multilingual collective System Ali.

 

The project is a historical, identity-based, and artistic journey through 5,000 years, five neighborhoods, five languages, and countless sources of inspiration. It combines in-depth exploration of Jaffa’s long history with its shifting urban and political landscape, while weaving live musical and textual performances into the route. Participants encounter the city’s layered stories not only as history, but as a living performance.

 

Over the past decade, the tour has been experienced by dozens of groups of researchers, historians, ethnomusicologists, high school students, political activists, and visitors from around the world.

 

The path begins in the historic Bassa area near Bloomfield Stadium and Jerusalem Boulevard, continues through the Flea Market toward the Gate of Jerusalem and the Mahmoudiya Mosque, and proceeds to Clock Square, framed by the Ottoman-era Kishle and Saraya al-Jadida. From there it follows the remnants of the Crusader wall to the ancient port, pausing at the Armenian Monastery and the Sea Mosque, before ascending the kasbah’s winding alleys to Kedumim Square, scarred by “Operation Anchor” during the British Mandate, and returning through the Flea Market and Gan HaPisga.

 

At its core, Mother of Strangers creates a rare encounter: between guided tour and performative art, between the historical and the personal, between Jaffa’s wounds of destruction and displacement and its endless capacity for inspiration and hope.