Recultivating tradition

The European Day of Jewish Culture, which takes place on Sunday, was established 10 years ago to help Europeans discover and celebrate their Jewish heritage. All 27 countries in the bloc - from Portugal to Turkey, Norway to Greece - participate with their own events.

As Jewish culture goes, the Puglia region, located in the "heel" of Italy, has a lot to explore.

"Jewish presence was very important here in past centuries, before they moved east," Victor Magiar from the Union of Italian Jewish Communities told Deutsche Welle. "There were few communities but they were very active, not just in terms of religion and tradition, but also in science and culture.''

The first community of 8,000 Jews in Puglia dates back to 70 AD, during the Roman Empire. In the 16th century, Spanish domination decreed their expulsion from its territories, including southern Italy. Yet the region's Jews had already left their mark in such fields as medicine, astronomy and alchemy.

Puglia is the meeting point between East and West, said Magiar. ''It also played an important role in the escape of many Jews in World War II," he added. "They gathered here in camps before setting sail for Palestine. Golda Meir got married in a camp here.''

Looking for the positive

The new festival in Puglia, which runs from Sept. 6-10, is the fruit of years of research into the Jewish history of some of the locations in the region. These places will serve as venues for theater performances, concerts, art exhibitions, discussions, film screenings and photographic exhibitions during the week.

''This is a chance not just for Jews to rediscover their history but for all Italians too,'' said Magiar. "It will be a celebration of the South of Italy, which is often considered only in its most negative aspects."

He emphasized that the festival focuses on Jews in a positive way, rather than continuing discourse on the Holocaust.

A lot of work has been done renovating old Jewish buildings, such as synagogues and ritual baths, known as mikvahs. The festival organizers hope that it will also encourage the few remaining Jews in the region to revive traditions and explore their culture, together with other Italians.

''This event is a good seed,'' said Nichi Vendola, the president of the region of Puglia. ''I hope it will help bring back the spirit of cooperation, solidarity and sharing among people here. (These are) the only real 'antibodies' that can chase away fear of diversity and pull down the barbed wire of prejudice.''

Author: Dany Mitzman

Editor: Kate Bowen