4th International Izmir Sephardic Culture Festival Opening its Doors

The festival is keeping alive and sharing Izmir's Sephardic Culture which is one of the city's most important components, yet unseen among Izmir's city culture for a long time, thus displaying the distinct colors of Izmir. Organized by the Izmir Sephardic Culture Collective, with the sponsorships of Konak Municipality (of Izmir) and the Jewish Community Foundation of Izmir, the festival attracts the attention of not only the people of Izmir but also of the international world of arts and culture.

A great cultural accumulation is sheltered in the memory of the Sephardic community, which is one of the important components of the ethnic mosaic of Izmir and especially of the Konak district's area since the 16th century.

The Sephardic Jews who had to leave the Iberian Peninsula in the 15th century embraced the cultural elements of other ethnic and religious communities with those they lived together in Izmir where already different cultures and beliefs had been living side by side for thousands of years. As a result a 'Sephardic Culture' specific to Izmir with its reflections on music, food, traditions, and arts was developed.

Keeping alive this culture existing in Izmir's cultural treasure is a great contribution to the multi-cultured existence, setting an example in Turkey in general. This also plays a big part in the combat against anti-Judaism.

The events in the framework of the 4th International Izmir Sephardic Culture Festival will start before Hanukkah - the Festival of Lights, symbolizing wisdom, understanding, right, and justice, lasting until the day the last candle of Hanukkah will be lit.

You can get more information about the festival program by visiting https://www.izmirsefarad.org/english or clicking the image below:

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