History

The idea

In 2001 Israeli salsa has reached its peak. Salsa festivals at that time have become very popular, so there was a need for an event that will represent the Israeli salsa as well. That's when Lior Petel came up with the idea to have a unique gathering, different then what was done in Israel so far; a salsa congress that will have workshops, shows, parties, passing on knowledge and revealing the Israeli salsa to the world. Lior Petel knew exactly how he'd like his congress to look like and he made his vision real, with the help of Ronen Biran, who had seen some similar congresses and was assigned to be the artistic director.

In April 2002 the first Israeli salsa congress was born and produced by: Lior Petel-Latino Del Mundo and the radio station Radios 100 F.M. with the radio show 'Dreaming in Spanish". And the rest – is in Israeli salsa history pages.

The 9^th International salsa congress was held in the city of Eilat on the 28^th of April till the 30^th in 2011. As in previous years the congress was held at the "Leonardo" hotel which is a part of Fatal chain hotels which gives the congress' guests a de luxe service.

In its 9^th year, just before the congress' 10^th anniversary, the staff collected a honorable line of guests that included: Tito and Tamara from Porto-Rico; Victor and Butju from Hacha Y Machete dance company from Boston; Ismael Otero and Shani Talmore from the Caribbean Sole that were the oldest performances that came from abroad (for the 8^th time); David and Kate dance company from Kiev, Ukraine; Mark Anthony, who again collaborated with an Israeli dancer; the complete Swing Guy from Italy came and as expected, got everyone's attention; and there were many others from Israel and from other countries. In its 9^th year, continuing past years tradition, the artistic staff surprised the guests and brought a Cuban Timba ensemble and one of the best and most famous in the world, Calle Real. The performance was an electrifying and refreshing experience to salsa and Cuban salsa fans. The 9^th salsa congress was amazing and has been the supporting act for the 10^th anniversary of the congress that will be held on the 22-24 of March, 2012 in Eilat by: Once in Ten Years.

The 8^th international salsa congress was held in Eilat on the 22 till the 24 of April 2011 at the "Golden Tulip" hotel by Fatal chain hotels. Ismael Otero and Shani Talmore were chosen to be the presenters of the congress. Ismael was given this honor since he was the oldest artist that did not come from Israel and his partner, Shani, is the most successful Israeli salsa dancer in the world. The congress in 2010 was exceptional thanks to the dance styles it presented and the performing artists. The Cuban couple, Wilmer and Maria, took over the congress with their Cuban atmosphere; the Young Blood ensemble from Porto-Rico left its mark with their authentic Colombian workshops and their love for dancing; and the Swing Latino, who is the world champion from Colombia, showed the Israeli audience why the Cuban salsa and Cuban dancers always win the championship. And of course, we had our usual guests: Mark Anthony who danced together with Shani Harpak who is one of the most successful Israelis dancers abroad; Ismael Otero and Shani Talmore, Henry Noles, Mehmet Aslan and others. The congress audience demands only the best with respect to the dancers and also to the live music, so this year we had the old New Yorker band 'New Swing Sixtet' that gave an unforgettable show. The number of the guests at the congress was similar to previous years as well as the foreign performers and tourists. Without even noticing we'll soon celebrate the congress 10^th anniversary, but first, we'll meet again at the 9^th international salsa congress which will be held on the 28-30 of April 2011 in Eilat.

The 7^th international salsa congress was held in Eilat on the 23-25 of April 2009 after a yearlong vacation. Fatal hotel was hosting the congress and the main shows were held at the Golden Tulip hotel. The last congress was different and was held at the Dekel beach under the stars, but it turned out that the audience loved the old concept, so bringing back the old concept pleased the guests and the congress was a success. As expected the congress invited the best Latin artistes from all around the world: Pablo and Diana from Spain and Tony and Daniela, the Bachata kings from Italy.  For the first time at the congress there were representatives of the Cuban salsa: John and Johanna were for sure the best attraction of the congress, Mark Anthony, Caribian Sole, Henry Noles, Mehmet Aslan, and other guests who came from different countries and by now became an integral part of the shows. The guests were also enjoying the famous Israeli salsa band Valkata and its New Yorker singer Frankie Morales. 1500 fans of the Latin culture took part at the congress, among them dozens of tourists and 25 foreign artists. The congress was back on track and was now ready for its 8^th year.

The 6^th international salsa congress was held now 6 years in a row in the city of Eilat and for the first time with the help of Africa-Israel hotels. The congress was held on the 26-28 of April 2007 and much like in previous years, the expectations were high, but the producers did not fail. 2500 guests took part at the different attractions of the congress and the tickets were sold out 2 weeks before its started. Thousands more participated at the public shows that were organized with the help of Eilat city hall and the Dekel beach. Because there were so many participants, the congress management decided to change the concept and have the shows at the Dekel beach under the stars. The congress gave a whole new meaning to its slogan "making peace through salsa" since the guests could see the Jordanian lights at the other side of the red sea. There were 42 artists that came from Europe and the U.S and among them: Henry Noles, the dance company Tropical Jam, Magna Gopal, Super Mario, Ismael Otero and many more. 120 tourists from all around the world came to see the shows and for the first time there were over 100 Arabic speakers at the congress. This is the second year that the congress management invites a foreign ensemble for live shows, and this year it was one of the world's greatest bands, the New Yorkers Spanish Harlem Orchests with salsa greatest: Jimi Bush, Rey De La Paz, Oscar Hernandez and others. There is no doubt that the live shows have brought the congress into a whole new level. The 2007 salsa awards were given to: Dina Dinkelman, Tomer Ben Azar and Sandy Risher, Yaniv Michael and David Zaslowsky from Kiev. The congress was filmed by a professional photographer and the DVD will be sold all around the world. The congress parade that was organized with Eilat city hall was colorful as always and the main show was held at the city center and the guests and Eilat citizens enjoyed the show and danced for hours. An important part of the congress is a tour to the holy land. Many guests joined the artists that came from all around the world and tour Israel for 4 days. This year the guests were also enjoying a paintball match. Much like in previous years, the congress guests couldn't wait for the 7^th congress that will be held on May 15^th 2008.

The 5^th international salsa congress was held for the 5^th year in a row in Eilat with the help of Fatal hotels, on the 27-29 of April 2006. Much like in previous years, the expectations were high, but the producers did not fail. 3000 guests took part at the different attractions of the congress and the tickets were sold out 3 weeks before its started. Thousands more participated at the public shows that were organized with the help of Eilat city hall. 35 artists came from Europe and the U.S and among them: Henry Noles, Luis Vazquez and Melissa Fernandez, Magna Gopal, Jesus Aponte, Candy Mana Johnnie Vasquez and his ensemble, Super Mario, Ismael Otero and others. 60 tourists from all over the world took part at the congress and among them also tourists from Arab countries. For the first time the congress management invited a band that will be giving live shows through the congress; the Son Borika from New York together with salsa greatest, Jimmy Sabater and Jose Manuel who gave a stunning show. This year the awards were given to: Henry Noles, Kika Samuel and to the first guest who came from Jordan, Daid Fadi. The shows were professional and were even invited to take part at the largest and most famous congress in Los Angeles. The producer of the Los Angeles congress is Mr. Albert Torres who attended the Israeli congress.

The congress was filmed and the DVD will be sold all around the world. The congress ended with a parade that was organized with Eilat city hall. The main show was held at the city center and the guests and Eilat citizens enjoyed the show and danced for hours. The parade was broadcasting live by 100 F.M radio. An important part of the congress is a tour to the holy land. Many guests joined the artists that came from all around the world and tour Israel for 4 days. This year the guests were also enjoying a paintball match.  Much like in previous years, the congress guests couldn't wait for the 6^th congress that will be held on April 26^th 2007.                      

The 4^th international salsa congress was held for the 4^th year in a row in Eilat with the help of Fatal hotels, on the 14-17 of April 2005. Much like in previous years, the expectations were high, but the producers did not fail. 2000 guests took part at the different attractions of the congress and the tickets were sold out 2 weeks before its started. Thousands more participated at the public shows that were organized with the help of Eilat city hall. 20 artists came from Europe and the U.S and among them: Henry Noles, Frankie Martinez, Juan Matos, Kimberly Flores, Idi Vas, Johnnie Vasquez and his ensemble, Super Mario, Ismael Otero and others. With them also came 80 tourists from all over the world. During the congress awards were given to exceptional Israeli salsa artists: Shani Talmore, Aviv Ben Ishay and Danit Buxbaum. The congress also showed its respect with a touching ceremony to Nir Mordechai who was killed while traveling in South America.

The 4^th congress raised the bar in every aspect when the highlight of the event was the shows that united the best Israeli and foreign dancers. This year the congress held a competition between the ensembles and the winning show was sent to represent Israel at the salsa festival of New York-New Jersey.

The congress was filmed and documented for the Israeli sport channel, channel 5. With the help of channel 5, the congress was now one of the leading cultural events in Israel. The congress ended with a parade that was organized with Eilat city hall. The main show was held at the city center and the guests and Eilat citizens enjoyed the show and danced for hours. The parade was broadcasting live by 100 F.M radio. An important part of the congress is a tour to the holy land. Many guests joined the artists that came from all around the world and tour Israel for 4 days. There is no doubt that this year the bar was set high and many were looking forward to the 5^th congress that will be held in April 2006.

The 3^rd Mediterranean salsa congress was held for the third year in a row in Eilat on the 15-17 of April 2004 at Fatal hotels. This year because the political state was more peaceful, the congress management was able to bring 7 famous foreign artists: Super Mario, Frankie Martinez, Grisell Ponce, Edie 'salsa freak' Espinoza, Ismael Otero and Susana Montero. 30 tourists came from all around the world and among them Jewish salsa fans from London. 2000 people took part at the congress that made Israel a strong player at the international salsa scenery. The production included the congress parade which was organized with the help of Eilat city hall. Thousands of people went through the streets of Eilat with the parade. At the congress a new book was first seen "Salsa Roman" and the whole project was documented for channel 8. Another milestone was a trip to the holy land that was offered to the guests and became an integral part of the congress. There is no doubt that this year the bar was set high and many were looking forward to the 4^th congress.

The 2^nd Israeli salsa congress was held in Eilat on 10-12 of April 2003 at Fatal hotels: Paradise Club and Garden Hotel. Much like in its first year, also this year luck was not on the congress management side, since it was held at the time of the second gulf war. True, after the first congress many famous artists and instructors showed interest and wanted to take part at the second congress, but most of them cancel because of the gulf war. Eventually and despite the threats, the congress took place as planned. This year Super Mario came from London and brought Ismael Otero from New Jersey with him. 1500 Israelis and 5 tourists took part at the congress which this year proved itself as one of the best international congresses.

The first Israeli salsa congress was held in Eilat on 11-13 of April 2002 at Paradise Club and Garden hotels of Fatal chain hotels. The congress was held just after Operation Defensive Shield when the IDF fought to stop the increasing deaths from terrorist attacks. Because of the military operation there was a doubt that the congress will be carried out. There was also a difficulty brining foreign performances. In the end the congress took place as planned and 1400 Israelis and 3 foreign instructors took part in it. One of the instructors, Mario Azaria, also known as Super Mario, became an ambassador of the Israeli salsa. Super Mario along with Angel and Adelaida Rodriguez were the first non Israelis team of the congress. The congress was a success and gave the Israeli audience a new and high standard show that had not been seen till then at the Israeli salsa scenery.