Skip to main content

Lund University Publications

LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

‘Welcome to the Mayor’s Sukkah!’ : On the spatial, performative, and cultural politics of Safra Square, Jerusalem

Janson, Torsten LU and Kärrholm, Mattias LU orcid (2024) Third Annual Swedish Middle East and North Africa Network (SWEMENA) Conference
Abstract
This paper introduces a work-in-progress devoted to analysing the architectural design, public-performative functionality, and cultural-political semiotics of the Safra Square (ספרא כיכר, Kikar Safra) and City Hall complex, Western Jerusalem. Built around the historic Town Hall of the British Governate, and inaugurated in 1993, the City Hall complex is strategically located along the bustling pedestrian and commercial Jaffa Street, just west of the Green Line, and immediately north of the Old City walls. This threshold location is replete with historic and political significance, as narratively and visually expressed in the design and decoration of the square: its multiple memorials, artefacts, and other spatial interventions celebrate... (More)
This paper introduces a work-in-progress devoted to analysing the architectural design, public-performative functionality, and cultural-political semiotics of the Safra Square (ספרא כיכר, Kikar Safra) and City Hall complex, Western Jerusalem. Built around the historic Town Hall of the British Governate, and inaugurated in 1993, the City Hall complex is strategically located along the bustling pedestrian and commercial Jaffa Street, just west of the Green Line, and immediately north of the Old City walls. This threshold location is replete with historic and political significance, as narratively and visually expressed in the design and decoration of the square: its multiple memorials, artefacts, and other spatial interventions celebrate ‘unified’ Jerusalem under Israeli administration (post 1967 occupation). It is also a social-cultural hotspot, employed in official and unofficial manifestation, mobilization, and protest, as well as public festivities, and religious fixtures.

As a threshold space and showcase, the square plays an imperative role in establishing and voicing different rhythms and refrains at both local, urban, and national levels. Our paper introduces an inventory of how its design and spatial practices relate to visual-narrative and political-performative dynamics. How can we trace and conceptualise its processes of territorialization and hegemonic normalization, both within and beyond its own borders? How can we, in other words, take measure of Safra Square as a concomitantly multi-territorial and homophonic political actant; as a stage for everyday leisure, urban-nationalist imaginaries, and cultural violence?
(Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to conference
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Jerusalem, public space, nationalism, cultural violence
conference name
Third Annual Swedish Middle East and North Africa Network (SWEMENA) Conference
conference location
Lund, Sweden
conference dates
2024-08-22 - 2024-08-23
language
English
LU publication?
yes
additional info
Third Annual Swedish Middle East and North Africa Network (SWEMENA) Conference, Lund University, 22-23 August 2024
id
f434e7a1-bb24-4d1e-ab63-a8a7f8b9bfd1
date added to LUP
2024-12-19 15:06:12
date last changed
2025-04-04 15:22:58
@misc{f434e7a1-bb24-4d1e-ab63-a8a7f8b9bfd1,
  abstract     = {{This paper introduces a work-in-progress devoted to analysing the architectural design, public-performative functionality, and cultural-political semiotics of the Safra Square (ספרא כיכר, Kikar Safra) and City Hall complex, Western Jerusalem. Built around the historic Town Hall of the British Governate, and inaugurated in 1993, the City Hall complex is strategically located along the bustling pedestrian and commercial Jaffa Street, just west of the Green Line, and immediately north of the Old City walls. This threshold location is replete with historic and political significance, as narratively and visually expressed in the design and decoration of the square: its multiple memorials, artefacts, and other spatial interventions celebrate ‘unified’ Jerusalem under Israeli administration (post 1967 occupation). It is also a social-cultural hotspot, employed in official and unofficial manifestation, mobilization, and protest, as well as public festivities, and religious fixtures. <br/><br/>As a threshold space and showcase, the square plays an imperative role in establishing and voicing different rhythms and refrains at both local, urban, and national levels. Our paper introduces an inventory of how its design and spatial practices relate to visual-narrative and political-performative dynamics. How can we trace and conceptualise its processes of territorialization and hegemonic normalization, both within and beyond its own borders? How can we, in other words, take measure of Safra Square as a concomitantly multi-territorial and homophonic political actant; as a stage for everyday leisure, urban-nationalist imaginaries, and cultural violence?<br/>}},
  author       = {{Janson, Torsten and Kärrholm, Mattias}},
  keywords     = {{Jerusalem; public space; nationalism; cultural violence}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{08}},
  title        = {{‘Welcome to the Mayor’s Sukkah!’ : On the spatial, performative, and cultural politics of Safra Square, Jerusalem}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}