ACHAVA-FESTIVAL THURINGIA 2024
A Jewish Catalyst for Interfaith Dialogue
In 2015, the ACHAVA Festival Thuringia took place for the first time, aiming to make an important statement of tolerance and dialogue. Recent events have shown significant tensions between religions and cultures. Against this backdrop, it is important, even vital, to emphasize the ideas of humanity and peace, tolerance and dialogue.
The concept of the ACHAVA Festival Thuringia introduces a fundamentally new catalyst - 50 years after the establishment of German-Israeli relations. Its core is interfaith and intercultural dialogue, based on the thoughts found in the writings of Jewish prophets in the Hebrew Bible. These writings form the basis of Jewish ethics and European values. The Hebrew word "ACHAVA" (brotherhood) reflects this. Respect for the other is the goal.
In the state capital of Thuringia, Erfurt, the most significant symbol of the history of Jewish life in Germany remains: the Old Synagogue Erfurt, which is the oldest preserved synagogue in Europe, dating back in part to the 11th century. Erfurt is applying for UNESCO World Heritage status for this site. Erfurt's Old, Small, and New Synagogues, as well as other Jewish sites in Thuringia, bear witness to a centuries-old history of Christian-Jewish relations, with its highlights but also its violent outbursts.
Thuringia is "Lutherland". Numerous authentic locations associated with Martin Luther and the Central German Reformation are located in Thuringia. The Erfurt Peterkloster is also connected to the most famous opponent of Luther, Thomas Müntzer.
In addition to magnificent concerts by international artists, there are exhibitions, panel discussions, and conversation series, as well as programs for students.
The next ACHAVA Festival of Thuringia will run in Weimar, Erfurt, Gotha and Eisenach from Sept. 7-22, 2024, and in Eisenach the program will take place from Sept. 15-22, 2024.
Reviews about the ACHAVA Festival can be found at the link:
https://www.achava-festspiele.de/index
