Jerusalem, Israel - Apr. 27, 2016 - Gan Sacher, the large, green park in Jerusalem, Israel, has traditionally been a gathering place for tens of thousands of Jewish families over Chol Hamoed Pesach. Bringing in tons of food for picnics, pounds of chicken and meat to grill, big family reunions are annually celebrated.
This year saw a very different kind of event in Gan Sacher with the inaugural Geek PicNic Festival. Over three days of Chol Hamoed, the Geek PicNic was more about innovation than food. Founding partner of the Geek PicNic, Nick Goreley, was proud to be bringing the event, established five years ago, for first time out of Russia, to Jerusalem.
Being called a "Geek" or "nerd" in the past was considered an insult. However, today a "Geek culture" is growing in Jerusalem, Israel. Start-Up Nation, Made in Jerusalem, Technology entrepreneurship, and "ecosystems" are gaining momentum, with Jerusalem becoming one of the top 50 locations in the world for start-ups. Geek is cool, Geek is in.
Ariela Rejwan, acting director of the Jerusalem Municipal Culture and Leisure Administration, said Jerusalem is glad to invest in science and future technology development. Mayor Nir Barkat, who developed one of the first "firewalls" for internet safety before going into politics, has worked to bring new scientific business development to Jerusalem.
Over three days, divided into 6 sessions, much of Gan Sacher was fenced off and set up for paying visitors only. Tents were available with science lectures scheduled on the hour, workshops for children, and science phenomena. Bionics, 3-D printers and sensors that seemed like science fiction only a few years ago, were demonstrated. Four men with bionic body parts came from US and England to participate. American Jason Barnes, not only showed his bionic arm, but performed as a DJ on the large stage.
Intel was a major sponsor, the Tuesday afternoon session was filled with their employees and families. During the 3 days of the festival, over 35,000 people were expected to attend. Day time temperatures have been rising in Jerusalem, and the lines were long for some of the most popular displays.
In the Giant Dragon, one child at a time was given a ride in the Russian built, monster-like machine. For the huge Hand of Man, a young woman "lifted" a car.
With the tiny micro sensors, a child could "drive a car." The wonders of science were hands-on in workshops for children led by Dr. Yael Schuster in the park. However, a newly developed bus from XLN, aims to take the tools of experimental development outside of the main cities, and to the Arab and ultra-Orthodox communities. Besides the "regular" tools, the van includes a 3-D copying machine and will have two teachers go along to guide children to turn a "dream" into a reality.
A new organization, TOM, Tikkun Olam Makers, from the Reut Institute, had a booth at the Geek PicNic. Their vision is to inspires global innovators to bring affordable solutions to those with disabilities.
3-D copying machines were on sale, as well as display. The "toys" for sale were not your usual fare. Not your usual picnic, though Kosher for Passover food items were for sale in the park.
Where else could you find a Punk R2D2, next to it a robot with a large Jewish star in the center, near a tank of bionic fish? Google, Gemsense, and an electron-magnetic field "lightening" demonstration, some of the Geek PicNic shown in photo essay.
Producer of the Geek PicNic Jerusalem, Carmi Wurtman, an oleh from Philadelphia, was happy to share a bit of his excitement with BJL.
