In a video released last Friday, former hostage Sagui Dekel Chen is seen singing the beloved song Keren Shemesh (“Ray of Sunshine”) surrounded by friends and family. “I’m not a singer, I’m a father who sings. Music has accompanied me throughout my life, and especially during my time in captivity. I would sing to myself all day long, and every night, I would sing to my daughters and talk to them about the meanings behind special song lyrics,” he shared at the beginning of the video.
“In the mornings, I would wake up, go to the corner of the room, and play love songs in my head, quiet, beloved songs, even adding a few movements. After I decided that writing songs was not about writing farewell letters, I created songs for myself—songs that, only two weeks ago, I could finally write down on paper and sing out loud. The song Keren Shemesh was always a favorite of my daughters; they would sing it in the car, in the living room on Fridays, and now, after so many lonely Fridays, I get to sing it with them here,” the former hostage continued.
Sagui reflected on the deep meaning the song held for him during his captivity: “They took the sun away from me for 498 days, but I chose not to let go. I spoke to the sun every day. Thanks to Milly, my friends, and all the people of Israel, I am here today. I ask everyone listening to me – don’t lose hope. Believe me, it penetrates down even to the depths of the earth.”
He also addressed those who are still held hostage: “To my friends who cannot see the light of the sun there in captivity – stay strong. Your soul needs a strong body, and your body needs a strong soul. Wipe away the tears, go to the corner of the room, and sing with me.”
The performance was recorded as part of The Tamari Project, a musical initiative created at the The Bikurim Youth Village for the Performing Arts in memory of Tamar Siman Tov z”l and dedicated to bringing home all the hostages, including Sagui and Iair Horn.
Watch the video:
