There were more than a thousand shtetls in today’s territories of Poland, Ukraine, Lithuania and Belarus. The Second World War and the Holocaust obliterated the world of shtetls completely. Today, in Opatów—as well as in tens of other Polish towns—there are no more Jews left.
The OPOLIN Museum’s new temporary exhibition titled (post) JEWISH… demonstrates that Polish towns hide two parallel histories. The history of their Polish inhabitants is well known and remembered. The one of their Jewish neighbours who are no more is forgotten or left unsaid.
Guide in the exhibition will be the late Mayer Kirshenblatt, a painter who emigrated to Canada with his mother and brothers as a teenager, in 1934. Mayer recalls the shtetl of his youth, restoring vivid memories of the people, events, daily life and customs. His paintings—full of color, imagination and humor—show us a world that is no more. Looking at them, we learn about our shared Polish-Jewish history.
The exhibition also features a documentation of artistic interventions carried out in today’s Opatów, aimed at discovering and restoring the vestiges of the pre-war Jewish life.
Six month “Heritage Season” of Events (Ceremonial, Concerts, Lectures, Meal, Performances, Talks, Tours, and Walks) to mark the 150th Anniversary of Princes Road Synagogue.
Themes:
September 2024 – People & Place;
October 2024 – Charity & Philanthropy and Rituals;
November 2024 – Civil life; December 2024 – Education & Learning;
January 2025 – Trade & Occupations; February 2025 – Art & Culture
The program is evolving.
Click here to see the program as events are confirmed.
NOTE: Tickets for all events must be reserved in advance.
To apply for tickets, please complete the application for tickets form here.
An international conference about the Jewish catacombs in Italy (and Malta).
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