Tel Aviv University awarded honorary doctorates to Enrico Macias and Rachel Shapira

Tel Aviv University awarded honorary doctorates to poet Rachel Shapira and singer Enrico Macias. Shapira presented a new verse for her poem "Od Yihiye Li" written especially for the ceremony. Macias received the degree for his musical work and his support for Israel.

Tel Aviv University awarded honorary Doctor of Philosophy degrees over the weekend to poet and lyricist Rachel Shapira and singer-songwriter Enrico Macias. The university senate cited their enduring cultural contributions: Shapira received the degree for her body of work spanning over five decades and the place of her songs in Israeli culture, and Macias for his international musical career and his close ties with Israel over the years. During the ceremony, Shapira presented a new final verse she composed for her poem "Od Yihiye Li": "One day we will open our eyes / We will look at each other from the start / One day we will open our eyes / And it will be so wonderful." In her remarks, Shapira shared that during performances she held throughout the war period, she would update the song's ending with dedicated verses expressing concern for soldiers and hope for the return of hostages, and that the current words were written especially for the university event. The degree to Enrico Macias was awarded for musical activity spanning more than six decades, in which he blended North African, Andalusian, and French traditions. The university's rationale also emphasized the singer's consistent public support for Israel, including many visits to the country since 1967 – activity for which he had previously received an award from the Ministry of Defense.