About

The significance of this event and its extensive international media campaign will directly contribute to the promotion of Wrocław and the entire Lower Silesia region. The planned concert and skill-enhancing workshops, conducted as part of the program, not only serve educational purposes but also align with contemporary cultural life. For young participants, this experience will be a crucial step in shaping their artistic identity and an important milestone in launching their professional careers. They will have the opportunity to learn from top-tier experts, including university professors. A key aspect of this project, in line with the priorities of Poland’s cultural policy during its EU Presidency, is the involvement of international experts and the inclusion of students and graduates from abroad, particularly from EU member states. The World Jewish Philharmonic is an event that commemorates significant figures in Polish culture (world-famous Jewish composers of Polish origin) while also promoting and supporting cultural development, including Jewish culture, which is deeply intertwined with Poland, Wrocław, and many other European countries within the EU. Jewish culture was once an integral part of Polish culture, coexisting and intermingling with it. Today, its traces are not as easily found. The dramatic and tragic events of the 20th century have left the most tangible and material remnants of the Jewish community in the form of relics of extermination camps. Yet, Jewish culture, especially in music, remains vibrant and inspiring. ​ Jews are the only nation whose culture has survived for 4,000 years, as Judaism is not just a religion but also a system of beliefs, ethical values, and traditions that have been preserved and passed down through generations in an unaltered form. Jewish tradition is incredibly rich, dating back to antiquity, where elements that became fundamental to the development of European music first emerged. Some aspects, such as the performance of liturgical chants, have remained nearly unchanged to this day. Since many European cultures have drawn from Jewish traditions and heritage, it is clear that these influences should be recognized and preserved. ​ Poland has played a significant role in Jewish history. From the 16th century until 1939, it was home to some of the most important and largest centers of Judaism—initially in Kraków and Lublin, later expanding to Vilnius, Brest, and Warsaw. After World War II, Wrocław and much of Lower Silesia became home to thousands of Jews, including Holocaust survivors, repatriates from the Eastern Borderlands, and former prisoners of the Gross-Rosen concentration camp and its numerous subcamps in the region. Many Jews from the Soviet Union and other parts of Poland also settled in Lower Silesia. This large-scale Jewish settlement was a unique phenomenon in a country rebuilding from wartime devastation. The ethnic exchange of populations in these areas allowed for postwar life to be reconstructed away from personal traumas. It is estimated that 100,000 Jews settled in the region after the war. However, after a brief period of dynamic development, the Jewish community in Lower Silesia experienced a sharp decline. Between 1949 and 1969, increasing oppression and restrictions on Jewish residents led to the collapse of Jewish social life, cultural decline, and the disintegration of Jewish institutions and organizations. By the 1970s, Jewish life in Wrocław had nearly disappeared. A major blow to the religious Jewish community was the nationalization of the White Stork Synagogue in 1974. The secular Jewish community also faced difficulties—after 1972, the communist authorities no longer supported the expansion of the Social and Cultural Association of Jews, leading to a drastic decline in the activities of the only secular Jewish organization over the next two decades. The Wrocław branch of the Social and Cultural Association of Jews in Poland has been active since 1950. The organization aims to cultivate secular Jewish culture, organize commemorative events, conduct lectures and language courses, and commemorate significant anniversaries and the history of Jews after World War II. The revival of Jewish life could not occur without acknowledging the history of German Wrocław. Polish Jews who settled there after the war and chose not to emigrate began rebuilding their community after the fall of communism. Naturally, they drew from the heritage of German Jews, including their material legacy. As a result, the culture of Wrocław’s Jews differs from that of Jews from eastern Poland—evident in cemeteries, synagogues, and terminology. This makes the contemporary Jewish experience in Wrocław unique within Poland, blending Jewish, Polish, and German cultural influences. Today, approximately 7,500 Jews live in Poland, with only about 550 residing in Wrocław, the host city of the event. However, the Jewish community has been present in Wrocław since the Middle Ages and was once one of the largest Jewish settlements in this part of Europe. Jewish culture is currently experiencing a resurgence of interest, and Wrocław is home to numerous organizations and initiatives that promote it. A crucial aspect of this project is collaboration, aimed at enabling graduates to enhance their qualifications for a successful transition into the job market, gain experience in an international environment under the mentorship of outstanding teachers, educators, soloists, and the conductor. Participation in this project will provide a strong foundation for young musicians, equipping them with the credentials to apply for positions in orchestras, philharmonics, and music theaters worldwide. It will also foster networking opportunities with educators and peers, potentially leading to innovative projects and artistic endeavors. Music enthusiasts will have the rare opportunity to witness performers on one stage who do not typically collaborate. This will be a truly unique and groundbreaking event. The project also ensures accessibility for individuals with special needs. The National Forum of Music is free of architectural barriers, offering full accessibility via all modes of transportation. Wrocław is well-connected with an airport, railway, and road networks, as well as an environmentally friendly public transport system, including city bikes. Ensuring the inclusion of people with disabilities in cultural life contributes to building a more just, sustainable, and inclusive society. This, in turn, makes culture more inspiring and representative of the diversity of human experiences. It is therefore essential to host cultural events in accessible venues equipped with appropriate facilities to ensure inclusivity.