Event: Poland - Krakow

Krakow Jewish Culture Festival

When:	28 Jun - 6 Jul 2008 (annual)
Where:	Kazimierz District
Costs:	Various
Opening Hours:	Various

Though cruelly quashed by the holocaust, Jewish culture is undergoing a revival in Poland with Jewish centres, restaurants, museums and music. Krakow's former Jewish district, Kazimierz, is the centre of the Jewish Culture Festival, an annual fixture since 1988.

During the week-long festival, the district's synagogues, cafes, pubs and streets celebrate the richness of Jewish culture with concerts of sacred music and song. Eminent kantors are invited from cities as far flung as Moscow, London and Tel-Aviv. Violinists get the crowds tapping their feet to klezmer melodies, and singers give life to infectious Yiddish tunes. The festival traditionally draws to a close in the grand finale concert in Szeroka Street.

Music is the essence of the festival. Around melody and song, a series of meetings, lectures, film presentations, exhibitions and workshops are organised to a Jewish theme. Workshops initiate visitors into Jewish dance, song, cooking, theatre and even paper-cutting and calligraphy.

The festival website gives full details of festival events, venues and prices.