Today marks the kickoff of the annual European Days of Jewish Culture (EDJC)! Its over-arching theme this year is Memory.
This year, official kickoff events are taking place in Brussels — but there are hundreds of other events, stretching into the coming days and weeks — in a score or more countries.
Click here to find the programs.
This year, for the first time, the EDJC, coordinated by the AEPJ (European Association for the Preservation and Promotion of Jewish Culture and Heritage), has been granted UNESCO patronage.
This acknowledgment, the AEPJ web site states:
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.
See the program of EDJC events, and more