“Space of Synagogues” to open in Lviv on September 4

 

A civic memorial project “Space of Synagogues,” which is implemented in Lviv downtown, will open on Sunday, September 4.

The general public will be demonstrated the results of the first project stage – preserved remains of the synagogue “Golden Rose,” stamped foundation of the Jewish Learning House (Beit Hamidrash) and memorial installation “perpetuation,” according to organizers.

According to the report, Ukraine is the first case where honoring the sites of Jewish history was initiated and implemented not by NGOs or foundations, but the city administration in cooperation with partners.

Opening of "Space of Synagogues" will include three blocks. From 10:00 to 14:00, all comers are invited to participate in the workshop “Map of the presence, location, initiatives and experiences of Jewish Heritage in Ukraine,” which will bring together experts from Ukraine and researchers from different countries. On the example of the projects that are being implemented and initiated in Ukraine the experience of honoring local Jewish history will be discussed. With the participation of researchers from the US and Hungary, Italy, Israel and Britain there was a discussion about the problems, risks and challenges faced during the activity. Workshop will be held in the conference hall of the Center for Urban History (Academika Bohomoltsa, 6).

At 15:00, the opening ceremony will be started with the participation of heads of municipal, government representatives, diplomatic missions, partner organizations and research environments. Especially important are the city residents who survived the Holocaust and their descendants.

All those wishing to participate in this event are invited to the place of Beit Hamidrash (end of Staroyevreyska street). Immediately after the celebration at Braty Rohatyntsy 45 (in the square) a joint feast will begin that will last until 18:00.

And the evening cultural program is planned, which will begin at 18:30 with two guided tour "space synagogues", whose main focus will be the idea and the project (start - in place of Beit Hamidrash). 20:00 And as soon as it gets dark, starts artistic program "Art to remember the voices of the city."

Those present promise a concert of works by Joseph Koffler Kopytman and brand, renowned composers of contemporary classical music of the twentieth century. Related to Lviv, they rarely present in the musical repertoire, so it is an opportunity to turn their voices into the city. The program of three works performed by the ensemble «ConstantY» and Chamber Orchestra «Stretta» (dyreґuye Irina Vakulin). Visually track "Resonance" established artists Oleg funnel (Lviv) and Jason Fiedler (London). Its proektuvatymut the walls of neighboring houses. With music and visual arts will be invited to rethinking and deeper understanding of the importance of cultural diversity as a society in the past and the present.

Participation in all activities (including common feast) is free, so organizers are invited to join the events surrounding the opening of "Space Synagogue" of all residents and visitors of the city.

Recall the three sacred buildings ( "Golden Rose" Beit Hamidrash and Great City Synagogue) were destroyed in 1940, during the Holocaust. Before the war, lived in Lviv, more than 100 thousand. Jews, including Holocaust survivors, only about two thousand. After Ukraine gained independence in this part of the city center declined, hidden from human eyes for large metal fence. Eight years ago it was announced an international architectural competition, commemorating the local Jewish History in Lviv. In the competition for the memorial space in the Jewish quarter of Berlin won the architect Franz Reschke.

Practical work on the implementation of the project started in July 2015 an exhibition of American photographer Jason Francisco "Golden Rose". For more than a year managed to preserve the surviving remnants of the synagogue "Golden Rose" to equip its territory drainage system; authentic foundation Beit Hamidrashu was cleared of concrete and stamped white stone «Venezian Terazzo»; a memorial installation "perpetuation" of quotations city residents and people associated with the city, who were Jews; dismantled patio adjacent restaurant and planted new trees. In 2017 it is planned to start work on the site of the Great City Synagogue. The main motto of the project: "The Jewish history of the city - a shared heritage and responsibility." Reported Zik.