A few hundred volunteers, who for more than 30 years of the JCF helped us in the organization of the Festival and in many other projects – comprise thousands of individual stories, memories, anecdotes and emotions… Below you will find a dozen of such stories – they give not only a more complete picture of the Machers working at the Festival, but also show the lesser known face of the JCF! Have a look!

Tal Dahari

I arrived in Krakow very excited but did not really know what to expect. First I met the amazing passionate festival team and a magical group of local and international volunteers.

Despite the worries, from the first meeting I felt a connection to everyone and thanks to them everything felt right, it really felt like home. Because of that, I allowed myself to be present (and ask questions about the past), open up, try new tasks, challenge myself and enjoy every moment and the heart to heart talks.

Thanks to this opportunity and the trust placed in us volunteers, I began to feel that the dots in my life are starting to connect between my identity, roots –  attraction to history, culture, music, creativity and the desire to do more and more.

One of my tasks was to walk around and film parts of the festival events and the best part of it is that I can share it with you all! It’s just a very small glimpse so you will have to come next year and experience  it for yourself!

I wish this beautiful tradition of Jewish Culture Festival in Krakow will last many many more years.

Włodek Jędrzejewski

It was without a doubt the most beautiful, challenging, incredible few weeks of my life. I have learned so much about Jewish culture and history. It was truly eye-opening. The work being done here is so meaningful. I have met so many entusiastic, young people from around the globe, different roots, culture and languages so this experience is not only about Jewish life here in Krakow or in the world but about diversity, tolerance, equal rights and peace.

I can’t leave the Festival not changed; I will leave it as a better person and I’ll carry that experience with me forever.

Bahtiyar Yidiz

It was an amazing opportunity for me to take part in this festival with so many amazing people! It’s a must that everyone, at least once in their life, should visit the JCF!

Madeline Kohn

The festival was an amazing experience for me. I met amazing people, and it is very cool to feel like you can make deep friendships in such a short time. I am Jewish, and while working on the festival I was so shocked to see so many not Jewish people be so passionate about and connected to Jewish culture. It made me realize that the music, and food, and traditions that I love can become “mainstream” and appreciated by everyone.

The jam sessions at Alchemia were by far my favorite part, it was so much fun to dance with all my friends for hours every night and get to hear such amazing musicians perform up close.

I would love, and definetly plan, to come back to the festival for years to come.“

Vincent Chassagne

My volunteering at the 31st Jewish Culture Festival was for me an extraordinary experience that will always remain engraved in my memory! Both professionally and personally, I can only recommend it! Meeting people from all over the world while learning more about Poland and Jewish culture is an opportunity not to be missed! For me, the concerts in the synagogue will remain my best memories of the festival, but the diversity of the program is such that there is no time to get bored!

An experience that I hope to do again one day for sure!

Qafar Rzayev

I was a visual artist from Azerbaijan who works with different topics and one of them is Jewish Heritage in different cities or How difficult to be Jew in different places. I was a Macher last and decided to come again. As I knew it that its gonna be amazing again!

I was given the chance to have this wonderful journey again. Goal is the same: learning more about Jewish life/culture, meet new people and expand horizonts.

During the festival mainly I worked with Cecylia- amazing artist and ecoactivist form Krakow, Poland. Me and Roman(another volunteer from Italy) helped to her organized daily workshops with audience. It is always difficult being an artist and work for other artist, artistic ego but I did it one more time again! Proud). My coordinator was Ola. She is the best coordinator, mentor, motivator ever), as I call her always.

I am happy that I am a part of this vibe and I am grateful that I met wonderful people from all around the world.

photos: Edyta Dufaj, Michał Ramus