BARCELONA—April 28, 2023
The Regional Seminar “Echoes of Reflexivity” held in Barcelona, aimed to create a safe space for discussing the role that Barcelona should occupy in the fight against antisemitism. Organized by CEJI and KigA e.V. of the ENCATE network, the seminar also proposed to promote discussion on contemporary history, recognize obstacles and best practices from a transversal and intersectional perspective, and advance the fight against antisemitism in various sectors, including education. The seminar emphasized critical self-awareness and the diversity of voices that live, fight against antisemitism, and promote Jewish life at the regional level in Catalonia and Spain.
During the second panel of the seminar, Federico Szarfer, Project Manager at the AEPJ, presented the European Days of Jewish Culture (EDJC) as a best practice in the fight against antisemitism. The EDJC festival was highlighted as a best practice in the fight against antisemitism and the promotion of Jewish life, and the AEPJ’s role in promoting Jewish culture and heritage was also emphasized during the seminar.
Other panelists included Piotr Kwapisiwicz, President of the Jewish Association Czulent; Felix Klepzig, FAB-Brandenburg Technical Expert in Antisemitism; Jose Daniel Pelayo, Technical Advisor at the Subdirectorate-General for Religious Liberty; and Nuria Serra i Busquets, Head of the Department of Interculturality and Religious Pluralism at the Barcelona City Council. The seminar also featured a presentation by Pascale Falek, Political Officer at the European Commission, on the Commission’s strategy to combat antisemitism and promote Jewish life.
The seminar was attended by representatives from OSCs, authorities, politicians, young representatives, activists, and members of the European, Spanish, and Barcelona communities who are active in promoting Jewish life and fighting against antisemitism. The event included various other panels, including one on the intersectionality of antisemitism with other forms of discrimination, and another on the role of education in the fight against antisemitism.
The “Echoes of Reflexivity” Regional Seminar was a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas and experiences on how to effectively combat antisemitism and promote Jewish life, highlighting the importance of initiatives such as the European Days of Jewish Culture in achieving these goals.