Jewish identity of Kazimierz is not much visible in its lanscape. To change this situation, we decided to create murals, that would remind both tourists and inhabitants about the Jewish heritage of our quarter.

Two murals were created during 23rd and 24th editions of the Jewish Culture Festival. Both were created by Israeli artists, were commissioned by the festival and designed to be site-specific.

Mural 'Judah' by Pil Peled (14, Wawrzyńca Street)

This mural was made in 2013, when we introduced our new logo and visual identification of the festival and it refers directly to the new logo of the festival: the Lion of Judah. This is what Pil Peled says about his work:

Judah was the sign for the Zionism. With his brave and honest we got the name ‘Jude’. The young kid presents the small and afraid people. And mixed together with the strong lion, symbolizes the Jews, who has fought to survive. That image can reflex on the inner child inside of all of us. A need to fight our fears.

Our volunteers, artists as well as the festival audience and friends could also join Pil Pelend in the process of creating that mural. This common work resulted in the frst marvellous and giant mural painting that soon had became a symbol of Kazimierz used in many Polish and international publications. Few months ago, the square next to the mural was unoffcially named ‘Judah Square’ by the owners of food trucks that fill the square.

Broken Fingaz (Bawół square, behind the Old Synagogue)

Broken Fingaz is a group of young people from Haifa, Israel, who are already famous worldwide. Their murals could be seen all around the globe – from Mexico to China. Their characteristic style introduces many small colorful elements that together create a narration. However for Krakow they had chosen a totally new aesthetic – the mural is painted only in black and white colors since it is inspired by the art of Ephraim Lilien, Drohobytch born artist, who studied in Krakow’s Fine Arts Academy. He became a leading artist of art nouveau age, in both graphic art and photography. The most famous photo portrait of Theodore Herzl was made by Lilien.

This particular mural is dedicated to the memory of Bosak family, who has owned the builidng now decorated by the mural. The Bosaks lived in the building from 17th cetury until late 1940s, when they left to Israel, where they live until now.

Thanks to those two festival murals, the Jewish identity of Kazimierz is now more visible in the landscape of very commercialized Kazimierz.

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