In 2020 due to the corona virus pandemic we had to alter our plans to  celebrate the 10th festival by welcoming performers from abroad along with the best independent work in Israel. As cultural entrepreneurs we sought creative ways to give the culture-loving audience a fringe festival in digital format. We prepared a program that included full-length plays from great independent Israeli creators including - Hannah and Azna, Sharon Stark, Yigal Zacks amongst others. The diverse and wide range of themes and styles provided a unique look at Israeli society and the connections between culture and society.

Throughout 2020 the theater's house ensemble 'Eagle' worked hard on a special children's project creating three new children's plays designed for any space and suitable for small audiences: Yotam and Moon, Pan Bunny and Udi Shmilkiahu's Tin Mystery. 

In addition, the new format created an opportunity for us to celebrate a decade of activity, a decade that brought with it a cultural revolution in Be'er Sheva. During the festival days viewers were able to watch a selection of original productions of the Be'er Sheva Fringe Theater including: Naples, Brooklyn Caesarea, Hug Me Forever Patricio, Addiction.

A French Chinese writer Gao Xinjian once said, "Culture is a necessity, not a luxury." For us culture is not only a necessity, but air to breathe, an engine for the soul, the energy that connects humanity, hence the great importance in holding the festival this year even at the cost of changing the theatrical medium to a digital form.

We hope that we will meet again next year on the magical streets of the Old City in the Negev capital, along with dozens of artists and the thousands of people of all ages and backgrounds when it is possible to return to live physical events.