The AEPJ is deeply shocked by the unprecedented brutal attacks that began during Shabbat and the holiday of Simchat Torah against the civilian population and the State of Israel as a whole.
Our network promotes Jewish heritage and culture in Europe, but it also works with different Israeli institutions and consultants. Against these murderous attacks on the democratic state of Israel, we express our solidarity to the AEPJ members living in Israel, our members of the Scientific Committee, and our partners at the National Library of Israel, as well as the population of Israel at large.
Our hearts are with the victims of the violence and with their families and loved ones. We hope, pray and yearn for an end to the violence.
The second day of the 12th Annual Forum on Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe, held in Łódź, Poland, was dedicated to exploring the theme of “Social and Creative Dimensions of Cultural Heritage in a Post-Industrial Perspective” through a variety of sessions.
The first general session of the day focused on “Preserving and Revitalizing Post-Industrial Heritage.” During this session, the spotlight was on how the reuse, innovative design, and collaborative planning transformed abandoned factories and warehouses into vibrant cultural hubs, creative incubators, and community spaces.
One of the speakers in this session was François Moyse, President of AEPJ. He presented the AEPJ and discussed the relevance of the theme in the context of the Jewish heritage route. He highlighted significant examples and best practices in the field, both in terms of the diverse uses of heritage spaces and the bottom-up approach that involves local communities and institutions working together to showcase European Jewish heritage.
The XII Annual Forum of Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe, which is being held in Lodz, Poland, started yesterday under the theme: “Cultural Routes: Social and Creative Dimension of Cultural Heritage in a Post-Industrial Context.”
The 2023 Advisory Forum is organised by the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe (EPA) and the European Institute of Cultural Routes, in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage of the Republic of Poland. Participants from 40 EPA member states and representatives from 47 certified Cultural Routes are exploring “the role of cultural heritage in the construction of a peaceful and democratic society” within post-industrial societies and linking it with contemporary challenges to heritage posed by conflicts, natural disasters, and climate change.
Europe, September 3, 2023 – The European Days of Jewish Culture (EDJC) 2023 have commenced with an extraordinary celebration of Jewish heritage, culture, and memory across the continent. This year, under the theme of “Memory” and with the invaluable support of the European Commission’s Citizens, Equality, Rights, and Values program (CERV), the esteemed patronage of UNESCO, and a fruitful collaboration with the National Library of Israel the EDJC 2023 is proving to be a poignant and enriching cultural journey.
The festival officially launched on Sunday, September 3, with more than 230 activities spanning 63 cities across 20 countries. This inaugural day witnessed the enthusiastic participation of an estimated 40,000 individuals. While the festival’s activities extend until the end of November, accommodating the diverse schedules and unique characteristics of each participating region, the significance of this first day cannot be overstated.
Brussels, 3 September 2023 – This Sunday afternoon, the AEPJ (European Association for the Preservation and Promotion of Jewish Culture and Heritage) was proud to inaugurate the 24th edition of the European Days of Jewish Culture (EDJC), the annual festival of Jewish heritage and culture, from the Great Synagogue of Europe. This year, the festival is dedicated to the theme of “Memory,” — a profound exploration of the past that shapes our present and guides our future. It is a concept deeply embedded in the history and culture of Judaism, representing both personal recollections and collective commemorations of significant events. The festival provides a platform to explore the multifaceted dimensions of Memory and to reflect on the historical journey of the Jewish people.
BRUSSELS — 30 August 2023
François Moyse, AEPJ President, was interviewed regarding the Opening Ceremony to the European Days of Jewish Culture 2023, which will occur this Sunday, the 3rd of September 2023 at the Great Synagogue of Europe.
Mr. Moyse introduced the radio host, Lise Benkemoun, to the mission of the AEPJ prior to sharing information regarding the program planned for the Opening Ceremony. As he explained, multiple representatives of European institutions, including UNESCO and the European Commission, are scheduled to speak about the importance of Jewish culture and heritage in the European context, especially as a means of fostering dialogue and participating actively in the fight against antisemitic prejudices.
Additionally, musicians will be present to play a wide-ranging set of pieces, which will speak to the diverse nature of experiences and ideas associated with the theme of Jewish memory.
Excitement is building as organisers and coordinators of the European Days of Jewish Culture are putting the finishing touches on an annual celebration that highlights the richness of Jewish culture and heritage across the European continent.
Scheduled to take place on 3 September, 2023, the Opening Ceremony of the European Days of Jewish Culture will launch this year’s edition of the European Days of Jewish Culture. The ceremony is set to take place at the emblematic Grande Synagogue de l’Europe in Brussels. This choice of venue is of particular significance, as it is one of the main seats of the European Union, and it testifies to the vital role of Jewish culture in fostering understanding and collaboration between European communities.
In a momentous stride forward, the European Days of Jewish Culture 2023 has been granted the prestigious UNESCO patronage for its upcoming festival. This remarkable acknowledgment not only underscores the significance of preserving cultural diversity and historical memory but also pays tribute to the dedicated EDJC organizers and coordinators who have tirelessly nurtured the festival’s growth.
The UNESCO patronage holds profound implications, signifying the profound resonance between the festival’s objectives and UNESCO’s mission to safeguard cultural heritage and foster cross-cultural dialogue. This milestone achievement can be traced back to the EDJC Organizers & Coordinators Meeting, a pivotal event held earlier this year in Paris. During this gathering, participants were privileged to visit UNESCO’s headquarters, engaging in purposeful sessions designed to deepen their understanding of the organization’s endeavors and their connection to the European Days of Jewish Culture.
AEPJ President François Moyse was interviewed by French web magazine Tribune Juive in the context of the upcoming annual European Days of Jewish Culture festival, which will kick off on September 3 throughout the European continent.
Sunday September 3 marks the start of the 2023 edition of the European Days of Jewish Culture.
François Moyse, President of AEPJ, the European Association for the Preservation and Promotion of Jewish Culture and Heritage, explains to Haïm Musicant the reasons for the success of this event, now organized in 29 countries.
François Moyse, you are President of AEPJ, the European Association for the Preservation and Promotion of Jewish Culture and Heritage. Every year, you organize the European Days of Jewish Culture. On September 3, they will be inaugurated with a ceremony in Brussels.