European Day of Jewish Culture, the challenges of renewal

The 23th edition of the European Day of Jewish Culture, which highlights the diversity and richness of Judaism and promotes dialogue, recognition and exchange, will take place on Sunday, 18 September. As in the past years, the event will open the doors of synagogues, museums and other Jewish sites to citizens, with hundreds of appointments. In Italy, one hundred and two locations in sixteen regions, from the north to the south to the islands, participate.
The next edition of this European-wide festival, to which 26 countries adhere and which in Italy is coordinated by the Union of the Italian Jewish Communities, will have as central theme Renewal. It is an invitation to rethink our models of coexistence and development in the face of our time challenges.
“Renewal in a crucial issue, in this historical period that urgently requires a change of pace both in terms of protection and preservation of the environment at a global level and in terms of international relations, specifically in the management of the conflict unleashed by Russia against Ukraine, which carries terrible risks for humanity”, pointed UCEI President Noemi Di Segni.
“Only through a profound and radical change, in terms of ability to coexist between peoples and towards the search for a still possible peace between competing forces, and in the direction of a definitive attention to protecting the environment and the Earth, we will be able to pass on to young generations the right and necessary testimony of life and values, accompanied and supported by a millenary tradition. It is a message we launch on the occasion of the European Day of Jewish Culture”.
The leading city in Italy this year will be Ferrara, home to an ancient and important Jewish community and home to the National Museum of Italian Judaism and the Shoah-MEIS. A rich program of initiatives will take place in Ferrara, including guided tours in the former ghetto and in the main Jewish sites and moments of encounter and study. The event will coincide with the last day of the Jewish Book Festival, which takes place from 15 to 18 September). Organized by MEIS, it will feature a prestigious parterre of national and international guests.
The European Day of Jewish Culture is a well-established event in Italy and – as highlighted by the AEPJ, the European Association for the Preservation and Promotion of Jewish Culture and Heritage (AEPJ), the umbrella organization which promotes the initiative – it boasts the record of the largest and successful edition in Europe.
Indeed, every year in Italy, tens of thousands of visitors adhere to the invitation to discover a cultural heritage of considerable historical, archaeological, architectural, artistic interest, which for one day becomes usable in unison, thanks to the virtuous collaboration between Jewish Communities, institutions, local authorities, and associations.

Further information is available on the website and social media at Facebook European Day of Jewish Culture, and Instagram Day of Culture.
A Press Area will also be available to journalists.