Days of Jewish Culture in Kragujevac

This year, Kragujevac proudly hosts the Days of Jewish Culture, a vibrant program that highlights the richness of Jewish tradition and its lasting influence on the city’s cultural, social, and historical development. The event brings together citizens, cultural institutions, the Jewish community, and visitors from across the region in a spirit of dialogue, learning, and celebration.

Program Highlights

1. Ceremonial Opening & Lecture
   The official opening gathers representatives of the local government, cultural institutions, and the public to mark the beginning of the event. The introductory lecture, “The Influence of Jewish Culture on the Development of the City”, explores the contributions of the Jewish community to Kragujevac’s cultural, social, and economic life, with a special focus on the city’s multicultural identity.

2. Workshop for High School Students
   In cooperation with the Serbian-Israeli Friendship Association “Ahava”, an interactive workshop introduces students to Jewish culture and tradition. Through engaging activities, participants learn about Jewish symbols, customs, and rituals.

3. Jewish Culinary Tradition
   Visitors enjoy a tasting of traditional Jewish dishes and delicacies, experiencing the sensory richness of Jewish heritage alongside its cultural and historical dimensions.

4. Film Promotion: Jews in Kragujevac
   The documentary Jews in Kragujevac offers a deeper look at the history of the local Jewish community, from its beginnings to the Holocaust and post-war reconstruction. A discussion with the authors, experts, and community representatives follows the screening, encouraging dialogue and reflection.

5. Lecture by Historian Vuk Dautović
   Renowned historian Vuk Dautović presents a lecture on Jewish communities in the Balkans, covering key historical periods and highlighting their role in shaping the region’s cultural and social life.

The event welcomes everyone – from local citizens and young students to the Jewish community, cultural organizations, and tourists. By bringing together diverse groups, the program fosters dialogue, strengthens tolerance, and highlights the importance of Jewish heritage in Kragujevac and beyond.

The program is organized in cooperation with: Serbian-Israeli Friendship Association Ahava,  Historical Archive of Šumadija Kragujevac, Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments in Kragujevac, and Memorial Park Kragujevački oktobar.

More about the program: https://kragujevac.ls.gov.rs/tekst/108027/dani-jevrejske-kulture-u-kragujevcu.php

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The event is part of the Cities Embracing Jewish Heritage initiative supported by the Combat Antisemitism Movement and the European Association for the Preservation and Promotion of Jewish Culture and Heritage.