Singer Rita named to light torch on Independence Day
singer and actress rita yahan-Farouz – better known simply as “rita” – will be one of the 12 torch lighters at the upcoming independence day ceremony on May 4 at Mount herzl, Culture and sports Minister Chili tropper announced on sunday.
rita was born in tehran and immigrated to israel when she was eight. she has performed on israeli stages for more than 30 years. she performed during her service in the idF and later attended the Beit Zvi school for the performing arts in ramat Gan. her work includes poetry, musicals and acting in films.
the independence day torch-lighting ceremony is dedicated to citizens “who make an extraordinary contribution to building a better israeli society, building communities and connections, promoting equality of opportunity and bringing hearts together and a sense of israeli unity,” Walla reported.
“[rita] worked her way up through hard work and perseverance until she became one of the most successful singers in israel ever,” tropper said, adding that she is an “example and role model.” rita is fluent in persian and hebrew.
“through the rare talents she has been blessed with in poetry, acting and writing, rita connects her persian roots to the complex and beautiful israeli story,” tropper continued. upon hearing the news that she would bear the torch, rita burst into tears with excitement.
rita has been described by The Wall Street Journal as the “unexpected bond between ordinary iranians and israelis – part cultural ambassador and part antiwar spokeswoman.” her songs have been popular in both iran and israel.
during independence day 2020, she recorded a track of “Hatikva” to accompany a 1978 recording of the national anthem by Barbra streisand, which streisand sung to former prime minister Golda Meir.