On Sunday, September 7th at 7 PM, the Jewish Community of Belgrade will host a program to mark the opening of the European Days of Jewish Culture. The program includes an exhibition from the National Library of Israel on this year's theme: “People of the Book” and a concert by the Šira Utfila ensemble featuring Branislav Podrumac titled “Book in Song: Sephardic Music of the Balkans.” The event, which takes place in over thirty cities across Europe, promotes Jewish heritage and the universal values that connect communities and cultures.
This year's theme of the European Days of Jewish Culture “People of the Book” invites us to deeply reflect on the written word in Jewish culture. Jewish manuscripts, illuminated texts, and literary works are not just artifacts of the past, but witnesses of creativity, resilience, and dedication to preserving knowledge.
The exhibition addresses five key themes:
- Different forms of the book – from scrolls and handwritten parchments, through printed editions, to modern digital formats; books have accompanied technological development and have always carried the mark of their time.
- People behind the book – writers, philosophers, poets, and thinkers have left behind not only works but also traces of their personal journeys, dilemmas, and creative processes.
- Journeys of books – books have always been companions of the Jewish people through migrations and renewals, preserving stories of their travels and the almost magical power attributed to them.
- Holy books – from the Bible and the Oral Torah to numerous commentaries and interpretations: “Jewish Cabinet of Books” reveals the richness of different voices and approaches.
- Homes for books – Jewish libraries have been beacons of culture and knowledge; the National Library of Israel, founded in 1893, testifies to the unbreakable bond between the people and their books.
The Jewish Community of Belgrade, together with European Jewish communities in over 30 cities across Europe, continues to affirm Jewish heritage through cultural, educational, and artistic programs, bringing the richness and diversity of Jewish culture closer to the public.
The theme “People of the Book” reminds us how the written word shapes identity, connects people, and opens dialogue between the past and the modern world. Everyone interested is invited to join this special program, which combines culture, music, and stories that inspire and connect communities.
Registration is mandatory via email: kultura@jobeograd.org
As part of the European Days of Jewish Culture, two workshops will be held at the Jewish Cultural Center.
Thursday, September 11th, 7:00 PM
“What Will Remain After You” - workshop led by Isidora Jurjević
The workshop is intended for all generations to pause, reflect, and share: What do we really want to pass on to our children, grandchildren, and our community?
Monday, September 15th, 7:00 PM
“Bet Midrash: Akedat Yitzhak - Binding the Words of the Covenant” - workshop led by Filip Belevski
In anticipation of the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah, which includes the reading of Akedat Yitzhak (Genesis 22:1 - 19), we invite you to a special Bet Midrash session that connects the deep symbolism of this story with this year's theme of the European Days of Jewish Culture “People of the Book.”