Reclaiming memory. Urban regeneration in the historic Jewish quarters of Central European

25.06.2007 - 26.06.2007

The political and economic changes that took place in Central Europe after 1989 in many countries of this region led to a rediscovery and revaluation of rich Jewish cultural heritage. The distance of nearly 20 years since the transformation of the system has now enabled a reanalysis of the chances and challenges that the new economic and political contexts have created for the former, often deteriorated and derelict Jewish districts. The International Cultural Centre organized a conference as part of the 17th Festival of Jewish Culture in Krakow as a forum for interdisciplinary analysis of revitalization of Jewish districts and quarters and the problems associated with this in the new socio-economic realities of Central Europe. The complicated processes involving the restoration of memory, the assimilation of Jewish heritage and its acceptance by today's local communities, and the problems of devising a suitable multifaceted presentation of this heritage were shown from the perspective of the most important historic metropolises of the region. A theme vividly present in the discussion was the phenomenon of commercialization and commodification of Jewish cultural heritage seen in many Jewish districts of Central Europe. In the 1990s Jewish cultural heritage, form being forgotten, even destroyed testimony to the past, became an important element in cities' tourism and entertainment offerings.