An Insider’s Look Into the EDJC Organisers and Coordinators Meeting 2023

PARIS, FRANCE – The EDJC Organisers and Coordinators Meeting 2023 took place from February 22 to February 23, with the majority of its sessions and workshops occurring at the Memorial de la Shoah, and a final session and closing ceremony concluding the meeting at UNESCO headquarters in Paris. The bi-annual meeting for organisers and coordinators of European Days of Jewish Culture activities occurs in an extraordinary context and under the umbrella of an exceptional programme: the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values programme of the European Union.

Organisers and coordinators of the European Days of Jewish Culture had the opportunity to spend two full days together in the city of Paris with the aim of training and reflecting upon how to work with the 2023 edition’s theme of memory. The theme of memory is particularly relevant to the EDJC, as it allows us to explore and remember the rich history of Jewish culture and heritage. The festival provides participants with an opportunity to learn about Jewish culture and history, as well as to reflect on the role of memory in shaping our understanding of the past and the present.

During the meeting, attendees witnessed the uncovering of the poster of this year’s edition, designed by Nikola Radic Lucati, Founder of the Center for Holocaust Research and Education in Belgrade, Serbia. Participants had the opportunity to participate in training sessions and workshops on the theme of memory, as well as to attend coordination meetings and networking events.

The meeting featured keynote speeches addressing the theme of memory from experts in the field of Jewish culture and heritage, including historian Philippe Boukara, from the Memorial de la Shoah, memorialisation expert Ana Milosevic, from Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, and Leon Saltiel, World Jewish Congress Representative at the United Nations in Geneva and UNESCO in Paris.

AEPJ partners, including representatives from the MahJ, Liberation Route Europe, Jewish Heritage Europe, the National Library of Israel hosted panels, and other European Days of Jewish Culture organisers led debates and innovative activities on the topic of memory.

The concluding sessions held at UNESCO on protecting and safeguarding Jewish cultural heritage were stimulating and allowed for exploring new paths to further the festival’s impact.

Organisers and coordinators of the European Days of Jewish Culture 2023 are delighted with the content and successful reception of the program.