GLYKERÍA’S SHABECHI YERUSHALAY’IM AND THE SHAPING OF A NEW ISRAELI LEGEND

This article examines how Greek singer Glykería’s rendition of the Israeli song “Shabechi Yerushalay’im” has contributed to the creation of a new cultural icon in Israeli music. Originally a religious hymn, the song was popularized by Glykería in a way that transcends its spiritual roots, blending Greek and Jewish elements to resonate widely across Israeli society. The analysis explores the song’s adaptation and recontextualization through Glykería’s performance, considering the layers of identity, spirituality, and nostalgia it evokes. Drawing on the concept of "meticulous ritual", the article delves into how Glykería’s version shapes collective memory and identity, effectively recasting "Shabechi Yerushalay’im" as a piece that bridges secular and religious Israeli audiences, while also connecting Israel to its Mediterranean cultural landscape during the hopeful 1990s.