Editions of the festival

First JCF was organized in 1988. In the first years the festival was held every second year and only since 1992 it has been held annually.

Each festival edition was different, the festival has evolved i have been changing to be all the time up to date with the current trends in the Jewish culture. But the festival as a phenomenon is not a collection of consecutive editions. It shall be perceived as one long lasting educational and cultural process, and the annual editions are the steps leading to accomplishing our mission.

Below you will find information about festival editions.

31st Jewish Culture Festival | Water
Water in Jewish tradition, water in Israel, but also Jewish response to climate issues and purification of Polish – Jewish relations . This is waht was discussed during 31st festival.

30th Jewish Culture Festival | Fire

Fire was a leading theme of the first edition of the JCF held after pandemia. Fire as a place we gather around to tell stories; fire which is the center of family life. Women, who are guarding the fire.

Prolog to the 30th Jewish Culture Festival
The longest edition of the festival ever! Held between June 26th and December 18th, 2020 is dedicated to the fire and the light – as a preparation to the 30th anniversary edition in 2021.

29th Jewish Culture Festival: The Earth

This edition of the festival was dedicated to the Earth: one of four elements; place that determines our identity, saves the past and creates the future.

28th Jewish Culture Festival: Zion

The festival celebrated 70th anniversary of the State of Israel as well as 100th anniversary of Poland’s independence. It was held exactly 30 years from the first edition of the festival.

27th Jewish Culture Festival

This edition, held 50 years after reunification of Jerusalem, was entirely dedicated to Jerusalem.

26th Jewish Culture Festival

Diaspora and Shabbat were the main themes of the festival. Diaspora as a commentary to the current situation with refugees and Shabbat as the main Jewish holiday that is a key element of Jewish identity.

25th Jewish Culture Festival
This anniversary edition of the festival was dedicated to the Quarter: to Kazimierz, a Jewish quarter of Krakow as well as other Jewish quarters.

24th Jewish Culture Festival
This edition’s headlines were: Ashkenaz, Mizrah, Dibbuk and Kibbutz.

Report – 24th festival

23rd Jewish Culture Festival
This edition of the festival introduced our new visual identification designed by Studio Otwarte. Also the program was presented in a new way, divided into 5 categories: Classic, Off, Idee, Art and Kids.

Report – 23rd festival

22nd Jewish Culture Festival

Report – 22nd festival

21st Jewish Culture Festival

Report – 21st festival

20th Jewish Culture Festival

Report – 20the festival

19th Jewish Culture Festival

If you are interested in getting reports and other materials from earlier editions of the festival – please contact the festival office.