The Tribe of Nova psytrance festival in Israel: between trauma and resilience
The Tribe of Nova was to be a world-famous psytrance festival, celebrating music, love and freedom. Unfortunately, it became the scene of one of the largest terrorist attacks in Israeli history. Since this tragic event, participants and survivors face a long process of healing and rebuilding.
When we hear the testimonies of festival-goers, we understand the scale of this tragedy. It was a moment of joy, sharing and connection with nature. The birds were singing, the music was intoxicating, the atmosphere was magical. And then, in a split second, everything changed. Darkness entered their lives, leaving behind indelible trauma.
Faced with this situation, Einat Haimovich, psychologist and clinical social worker, decided to help the survivors of the festival. With his companion Iftach Shahar, they have created a welcoming place for all those who wish to share their experience, rebuild themselves and find comfort. This house, located in a moshav south of Tel Aviv, has been converted into a calming place, conducive to the expression of emotions and meditation.
The psytrance community, which has its roots in the hippie movements of the 70s, was deeply affected by this event. Psychedelic trance culture is very present in Israel, and the Tribe of Nova was to be the first Israeli edition of a very internationally known festival. Unfortunately, it has become synonymous with tragedy. But despite their pain, the followers of this culture remain determined to rebuild themselves and to preserve the spirit of peace and love that animates them.
The healing work has only just begun for the survivors of the Tribe of Nova. Einat Haimovich and her team support them in their healing process, offering them a space to talk, cry, laugh and share. They do not claim to be therapists, but simply caring presences, ready to listen and support.
The goal is to help survivors regain a sense of normalcy and reconnect with who they were before this tragedy. Far from wanting to hide the injuries, they encourage those who feel the need to begin long-term therapy.
The road will be long, but the resilience of the psytrance community is strong. They have survived collective trauma and are determined to rebuild, support each other and remain true to their values of peace and love.
In conclusion, the Tribe of Nova festival in Israel was the scene of a tragedy that deeply affected the psytrance community. However, despite the scars left by this traumatic experience, survivors find the support necessary to rebuild themselves and continue to propagate the values that are dear to them. The healing will be long, but the spirit of resilience is stronger than ever.