From Shtetl to Zion: 30 Years of Krakow’s Jewish Culture Festival
From Shtetl to Zion: 30 Years of Krakow’s Jewish Culture Festival

Author(s): Elżbieta Wiącek
Subject(s): Social Sciences, Fine Arts / Performing Arts, Jewish studies, Music, Sociology
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego
Keywords: Jewish Culture Festival; Kazimierz district in Krakow; klezmer; Ashkenazy; boutique multiculturalism
Summary/Abstract: The first edition of the Jewish Culture Festival in Krakow was inaugurated in 1988. From a small, local event, it has grown to an international phenomenon. Now it is one of the most important events of this kind in the world, presenting contemporary Jewish culture created both by Jews in Israel and the entire Jewish Diaspora. Currently, it is probably the only Jewish festival in the world founded and run by non-Jews. It is also one that is largely attended by non-Jews. Even more striking is the fact that it is held in a country virtually bereft of Jews. The aim of this chapter is to examine the evolving and expanding character of the festival and its main purposes and themes. The main goal of the festiwal is to educate participants about Jewish culture, history and faith (Judaism), which flourished in Poland before the Holocaust, as well to make them familiar with modern Jewish culture (music, cuisine, dance, calligraphy and other aspects).

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