Love, in all its nuances, will be at the heart of the 2026 European Day of Jewish Culture, kicking off in Italy on Sunday, September 6. Warsaw will host the European opening ceremony, and Bologna, in Emilia-Romagna, will serve as Italy’s leading city for the event for the first time. Around 100 cities across the country will participate in a day dedicated to promoting knowledge of and understanding of Jewish life and Judaism. The day will highlight the complexity, plurality, and vibrancy of Jewish culture, history, and traditions.
Now in its 27th year, the European Day of Jewish Culture is dedicated to love as one of Judaism’s central values. Loving one’s neighbor, the stranger, and the Lord is a fundamental commandment in the biblical tradition and a recurring theme in rabbinical commentary. Its meaning extends beyond the individual sphere. It carries broader ethical and collective implications that encompass action, justice, solidarity, and responsibility toward others.
This year’s theme provides an opportunity to explore the shared roots of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. It opens the door to interreligious and intercultural dialogue, providing a distinctive lens through which to consider the Jewish contribution to Italian, European, and global culture.
Bologna will host the national inauguration, with active participation from the city and the Emilia-Romagna regional government. The region’s selection is particularly significant. Emilia-Romagna has more Jewish communities than any other Italian region, reflecting the area’s long and deeply rooted Jewish history. The region boasta an impressive array of Jewish cultural sites and artifacts spanning centuries and encompassing both ancient and modern history.
Coordinated nationally by the Union of Italian Jewish Communities (UCEI) and promoted at the European level by the European Association for the Preservation and Promotion of Jewish Culture and Heritage (AEPJ), the European Day of Jewish Culture has become one of Italy’s most widely attended cultural initiatives, attracting tens of thousands of visitors each year. This success is largely due to sustained cooperation among Jewish communities, local authorities, Pro Loco organizations, and cultural associations throughout the country.
On September 6, these partnerships will bring the theme of love into public spaces across Italy, exploring its place in Jewish tradition and its implications for culture, community, and dialogue. The program will feature musical performances, exhibitions, public talks, and guided tours of Jewish sites, offering audiences various ways to experience the country’s rich Jewish heritage.
More information at https://www.ucei.it/giornata-della-cultura/2026/