The festival concludes with a performance of klezmer-inspired classical music for violin and piano on the closing night at St Francis of Assisi Church, arranged with the support of the German Embassy. JR has approached the mayor for a response, but has yet to hear back. We will share their comments as to why it was refused funding at a later date.
At its peak, before the World War II, Klaipėda had four synagogues as well as Jewish sports clubs, history and literature clubs, a women’s Zionist organisation and a chamber orchestra. When the German army invaded, most of the 6,000 Jews fled. Some returned after the war and by 1967 the Jewish population numbered about 1,000. Shalom in all the World is designed to celebrate that history and commemorate the Jewish influence on Lithuanian arts and culture.
“One of the goals of the festival is to break down stereotypes,” Jakštonien said in the Autumn 2022 issue of JR. “I live in a country that was once called the ‘Jerusalem of the north’, where Jews and Lithuanians share 800 years of history, where famous Litvaks such as violinist Jascha Heifetz, painter Yehuda Pen, novelist Abraham Mapu and philosopher Emanuel Levin were born or spent their childhood. It is our common history and we must know it, remember it.”
By Peter Watts
Header photo © Alamy
Shalom in all the World runs until Saturday 28 September. Times vary. FREE. Various Klaipėda venues, Lithuania. zydukulturosdienos.lt/program-of-2024
