For 27-year-old Inor Roni Kagno, Oct. 7, 2023, was the worst day of his life.
He was working as a competition photographer on the Nova music competition in Israel when Hamas terrorists attacked, killing almost 400 folks in what was the beginning of two years of hostilities which have killed hundreds however could possibly be on the verge of coming to an finish.
On Tuesday, Kagno was in Las Vegas, telling his story, sharing his philosophy and discussing his artwork in a gathering of supporters invited to listen to his message.
Kagno survived the bloodbath by evading gunmen and incoming rocket assaults as fleeing festival-goers have been caught in a visitors jam whereas attempting to flee the mayhem. One in all his competition photographer colleagues was killed; one other is struggling the results of post-traumatic stress dysfunction.
“It’s actually arduous to speak about,” Kagno mentioned in an interview.
“The folks I noticed have been bruised and bloodied. Individuals who have been caught within the visitors jam have been shot or burned alive of their automobiles,” he mentioned.
Kagno didn’t {photograph} any of the atrocities he witnessed; he was too busy searching for escape routes and attempting to remain alive.
However the tragedy of that day modified him perpetually.
Previous to photograph gigs, Kagno described himself as a touring adventurer, searching for experiences from jungles within the Amazon to African tribal lands to Buddhist temples. His journey led him to Nova competition experiences the place attendees search non secular which means via trance music. He described them as just like festivals like Woodstock, Coachella and Burning Man the place the themes of affection and togetherness mix with music and dancing.
As soon as an atheist, Kagno mentioned he discovered God on the dance flooring.
“It’s the music at first, historically,” he mentioned. “Individuals are utilizing that to go within the greater non secular realms. Once you’re dancing, you hook up with your self. We’re even saying that we’re connecting to God. And on these dance flooring, on this group, I discovered my spirituality and my God. And everybody calls God otherwise. Some name it Buddha, some name it the universe, Allah, Karma, no matter you select. I simply needed to seize it.”
Ultimately, he mentioned, the non secular aim is for all faiths to come back collectively via the elemental ethical precept of what’s often known as “the Golden Rule” — “Do unto others as you’d have them do unto you.”
Kagno mentioned it’s a common instructing underneath Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism and different faiths.
Requested whether or not he’s optimistic about hostilities between Israel and Hamas coming to an finish via not too long ago introduced peace talks generated partly by President Donald Trump, Kagno mentioned he usually avoids politics — though he is aware of he’ll be perceived as political by the very nature of the subjects of his lectures.
After his expertise two years in the past in Israel, Kagno opted to decompress with journey earlier than deciding to maneuver to Los Angeles and establishing a gallery the place he produces artwork with imagery and Hebrew calligraphy.
He mentioned his look in Las Vegas — a spot he had by no means been earlier than Tuesday — was sponsored by angel investor Benjie Cherniak, a gaming trade entrepreneur.
“I perceive there’s a massive Jewish group right here and there are a whole lot of Israelis and Jewish folks in that subject and so they have been looking for somebody to speak about what’s occurred and to sort of join once more on today,” he mentioned. “For me, it’s an honor to be in service and to speak about my story and about what’s occurred.”
It is a growing story. Examine again for updates.
Contact Richard N. Velotta at rvelotta@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3893. Observe @RickVelotta on X.
