In six days we will present the best of Israeli culture, contemporary cinematography, folk and modern dances, and classical music. It is our gift to the City of Zagreb ahead of Croatia's entry into the European Union and it also marks the 65th anniversary of the independence of the State of Israel, Ambassador Yossi Amrani told a press conference.

Mayor Milan Bandic thanked the Israeli ambassador for choosing Zagreb for this event and for the long-term good cooperation.

The festival will open with the screening of two films at Europa Cinema -- Shemi Zarhin's The World Is Funny, a drama with elements of a comedy about a broken family, and Michael Mayer's Out in the Dark, a story about two young men, a Palestinian student and an Israeli lawyer, who fall in love amid personal and political intrigues.

The Fresco dance troupe will perform Yoram Karmi's Cerberus at the Croatian National Theatre, while the Mehola dance company will perform Israeli folk dances in Zagreb's main square Trg Bana Jelacica. A documentary film about Israel, made by a Croatian Television crew, will be screened at the same venue.

The Richter String Quartet of the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra will give a concert in Zagreb for the first time, and the Hotel Esplanade will host an exhibition of paintings by Melita Kraus as well as the Israeli Cuisine Week.

The Sheketak dance troupe will perform their number "Rhythm in Motion" in Trg Bana Jelacica square on the last day of the festival.