Saturday, January 1, 2011

The Poet's Street



In almost every town in Israel there's a Bialik street, named after the national poet Chaim Nachman Bialik (1873-1934). The works of this great poet deal with national issues as well as with the topics of nature, love, children. His poems have been translated in some 30 languages and many of them set to music. There are some very popular israeli songs based upon his lyrics.

The Bialik street in RamaT-Gan city is a long, busy street; there are some institutions located on it, but it's mainly a commercial street with all kinds of shops , eateries, and... public phone booths . Nothing poetic about it.
(In one of the clothing shops I've purchased one of my most practical items - a multi-pocket garment).

The street has a lovely corner with two trees and two benches meant for people to sit down and relax during or after shopping. Last time I visited there I got very sad. Well, someone had the "great" idea of introducing trash bins in the very heart of the corner. As a result, people keep away from it, and the two benches have become target to vandalism.

"resting" corner on Bialik str. Ramat-Gan

The Bialik street in Tel Aviv city is quite another matter. It's a quiet, residential street (although close to the city center and the general Carmel market). It has a rather dignified atmosphere with a touch of spirituality due to the presence of three museums, a music library, and an old little synagogue, The buildings converted to museums are: the residential house of Bialik, the house of painter Rubin, , and the former municipality which dominates a little square with a fountain.
.
Bialik's house on Bialik str. Tel-Aviv


old synagogue

historic Town Hall in the Bialik square

The last time I visited the tel-avivian Bialik street, I noticed a shop, just at the entrance to the street. It was a Crocks shoes shop. I didn't like the fact of a shop on the poet's street, but guess what. I went in and bought myself a pair of shoes at a discount price.

Let's hope that this is the first and last shop here, and that the street will not turn into a commercial one like its counterpart in Ramat-Gan. There are quite a lot of commercial streets everywhere, but very few streets with something of a 'poetic-spiritual' atmosphere.

Happy New Year to all my blog readers
!

27 comments:

  1. Happy New Year to you and to everyone you love!
    Be Happy and Healthy!

    I wish you all my best from Romania!

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  2. Happy New Year. I was sorry to hear about the trash bins and vandalism and also the commercial shop near the other street. Too bad a law could not prevent shops from springing up on the Poet's street. Peace

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  3. What a shame that trash bins invite the wrong element into such a peaceful place. Very poetic piece, Duta. Happy New Year!

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  4. Happy New Year. I trust that 2011 will be everything that you wish it to be.

    Best wishes from the UK.
    Trevor

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  5. Wind,

    Thank you. Best Wishes and Happy New Year to you too!

    Lady Di Tn,

    Well, in the Middle East, even the law cannot do much when it comes to order and preservation of places.
    Peace and best of New Year Wishes to You!

    Janie B.,

    Shame indeed to destroy such a lovely little spot! Happy New Year!

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  6. That is a shame that the authorities have spoilt the atmosphere in the street with all the associated implications.
    Hope you have a Happy 2011.

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  7. Hi Duta, It's too bad that the addition of trash bins invited some to "trash" them. They would look better, I think, if placed away from the benches and trees.
    I liked your perception of the snow and branches in my post being symbols, I hadn't thought of it at all! I just liked the balance and symmetry of the shot...
    Happy new year to you!

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  8. It was a great post...from now I need to check the Bialk...
    Happy new Year

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  9. Let me introduce his the Great work..
    -------------------------------
    " In the Flicker of Sundown " (from Herbrew)

    ~~~~ On them we remained without friend or companion.
    Cast out like two flowers ob sand.
    Two souls lost in search of a world we had lost,
    In a strange, estranging land.
    --------------------------
    emotion!!

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  10. Trevor Woodford,

    Happy New Year and Best Wishes to you too!

    Jay on tour@Jayspaze

    Yes, it's the authorities(especially the municipality) to be blamed for the gloomy situation of the corner.
    Happy New Calendaric Year!

    Dimple,

    Of course, the trash bins should have been placed somewhere else, away from the rest corner.
    I'm glad you liked my suggested symbolism in the photo of your last post.
    Happy New Year to you too!

    nomore,

    Thank you for showing interest in the poet by looking him up on the internet.
    "In The Flicker of Sundown" - that's a charming love poem which also includes a message about a homeland.
    Happy New Year to you!

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  11. Happy New Year. I agree that spirituality is a much better draw than shopping--and I hope the rest of the world will keep a sacred corner or two.

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  12. Not what one might expect when you think of a poet street is it! You write the most interesting post sweetie and I always learn something new. Now, who says ya'll can't teach an old dog new tricks??? Heehehehe!

    You have a inappreciably blessed New Year dear Duta!!! :o)

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  13. Happy New Year filled of health, joy and love for everybody. Hugs.

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  14. Jolynne Lyon,

    I hope so too. We shouldn't turn everything into shops and eating places.
    Have a Happy New Year!

    Nezzy,

    Indeed, not.
    Thanks for the compliments, and Have a Blessed New Year too!

    Phivos Nicolaides,

    The same to you, Phivos.
    I wish you the very Best in 2011!

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  15. Great place Duta.
    A blessed New Year!
    Cheers.

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  16. As you know our national poet is Eminescu. But unfortunately not every town has an "Eminescu street".

    About "your trash bins"... perhaps somebody forgot them in that place. :D
    Or I think is the mark of the modern society.

    Anyway, that's why I said I prefer to live close to nature ...

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  17. Regina,

    Not as great as Manilla Bay, I suppose.
    A blessed New Year to you too!

    robert,

    You've made me think. Eminescu was indeed a great poet. There should be a street named after him in every town, or at least in all major towns of Romania.

    I agree with your view on trash bins - it is, unortunately, one of the marks o our modern society.

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  18. Happy New Year Duta,may this year be all you want it to be.
    Loved the post and I agree those trash cans do spoil that little area,such a shame.
    Carolyn.

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  19. I really like the idea of a 'Bialik' street in every town...that's poetic by itself...

    Duta, I hope you're doing well. I must tell you about a dream I had just last night...I dreamed that I was on a trip to Europe, & I had told you I was coming. You booked a bus trip, & we met - in Poland (of all places!). Heavy snowing, but lots of fun - as if we were old friends catching up after many years separated. I woke up this morning thinking of you! Funny, isn't it? I don't think episodes like that are accidents, so I've prayed for you each time my dream returned to my mind today.

    Would be nice - someday - to meet, and talk like old friends. Feels like we are, anyway...

    God speed, dear one.

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  20. matron,

    Thanks for the New Year Wishes, and for your words on the spoiled-by trash bins area.

    Susannah,

    Nice dream! Well, Poland is located in East Europe. I was also born in east Europe(Romania). Maybe you've got family roots in Poland and that's how you've come to dream about it.
    Sometimes, dreams come true, you know.

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  21. I will look for this street in Tel Aviv next time I go to Israel.

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  22. TallTchr,

    To someone like you, used to the glamour of Los Angeles, these two Bialik streets would be a total bore. Fortunately, they are centrally located , so no one has to make a special effort to get to either of them.

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  23. I wish you a blessed New Year, DUTA. I love your story - some streets in Wisconsin are named after football players and coaches. A poet, though, is different, and you hope for more than trash bins in an area that should be kept for rest and reflection.

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  24. Happy New Year to you dearest Duta! It seems like forever since I've visited your educational and scenic little part of the blogging world. I'm glad I came by today to read about the Bialik streets.

    I don't understand how someone would think that placing those ugly trash bins near such a sweet little sitting area is a good idea. I think they're just on little wheels, someone should wheel them across the street!

    We have a lot of streets named after Country-Western Singers in Bakersfield as it's the home of Buck Owens and Merle Haggard.

    I look forward to visiting you often in this new year Duta and I wish you health, wealth and prosperity!

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  25. Bica,

    I couldn't have said it better: "..you hope for more than trash bins in an area that should be kept for rest and reflection." Thank you.
    A blessed New Year to you too!

    Alicia,

    Although I don't reside in that city I made some enqiries at the local municipality; they blamed shopkeepers in the area for moving the trash bins to the little corner.
    May the New Year 2011 bring you the very Best in Life, dear Alicia!

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  26. I always learn something when I visit you. I often think that what is called progress really isn't. It is shame to see beautiful places become so commercial.

    Just wanted to let you know that I responded to you on my book review post. I don't want you to think that I was "pushing" the diet book. I'm not. I've never tried the plan and at this point I have no intention of doing so. They asked me to read the book and give an opinion and I tried to do only that...not come across as if I recommended doing the plan. I did try to answer the questions you posed. Thanks for always reading my stuff and your honest comments!

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  27. Sue (Someone's Mom),

    The thought has never occurred to me , namely that you've tried to 'push' the diet book. I totally believe in your integrity, Sue.
    Thanks for answering the questions I've posed on your recent post.

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