Inaugurated in Budapest in 2016, Jewish Art Days is now considered integral to the city’s cultural life. Presenting Judaic arts from music to theatre and photography, this two-week festival will be attracting crowds to prestigious concert halls, a cinema and a synagogue. Even a ruin bar and a boat will be hosting activities such as live music, gastronomy and dance.
With the festival’s official opening on Sunday, May 27th, a free exhibition at the Israeli Cultural Institute encapsulates the career of Ofra Haza, the late singer often referred to as the Israeli Madonna. Entitled Galbi, this unique showcase displays Haza’s records, family photos and lots of relics assembled by the artist’s fans. The exhibition is open every day through June 10th until 5pm.
On the opening day, visitors can also see a contemporary dance performance by the DART ensemble, taking place at the Bethlen Theatre at 7pm.
From May 28th, a stimulating exhibition of images by Hungarian photographer Tamás Vajda shows visuals of bustling daily life in Israel. Mazel Tov, a similarly buzzing ruin bar, is a suitable space for hosting this display. The photos are available for viewing every day from noon till 10pm until June 10th, and admission is free.
Meanwhile, music of various genres will be spilling out of prominent concert halls, including the Budapest Jazz Club, the Budapest Music Center and the Columbus Boat, permanently anchored on the Pest side of the Danube. Events are also happening at the Uránia National Film Theatre, at Vígszínház and at the Frankel Leó utca synagogue, an architecturally intriguing building hidden within the courtyard of a residential edifice.
For more information and tickets, visit the event’s website.
