Israeli President Shimon Peres celebrates birthday with gala concert honoring his poetry

Peres poems turned to song for his 86th birthday

TEL AVIV, Israel — Israeli President Shimon Peres is celebrating his 86th birthday in style — with a celebrity concert featuring songs adapted from his poetry.

Peres has quietly written poems throughout his more than 60-year political career. Israeli artists put music to his words and performed the songs for Peres at a gala event in Tel Aviv on Sunday.

Peres was also presented an award from the Israeli Union of Performing Artists. The release of an album including 12 Peres songs follows the concert.

A former prime minister, Peres now serves in the largely ceremonial post of president.

Peres was born on Aug. 2, 1923, but he marks his birthday according to the Hebrew calendar. This year that date — the 20th of Av — fell on Aug. 16.