This year’s edition of Jewish Culture Festival takes us back to the deep and rich roots of Krakow’s Jewish heritage. Here’s our encounter with Karolina Przewrocka-Aderet, project coordinator at JCC Krakow concerning the many events organized this year.
Jguideeurope : Which events will be organized for this year’s Jewish Culture Festival?
Karolina Przewrocka-Aderet: This year, the Jewish Culture Festival (JCF) is dedicated to the place where it was born: Kazimierz – the historic district of Krakow. A place where Jewish life thrived for over 500 years, was later brutally destroyed, and for decades remained filled only with memories. Today, Jewish life is being rebuilt here in many ways, bringing together Jews from different countries, and the local community is growing. During JCF, we will explore both the past and present of Kazimierz through amazing concerts, lectures, workshops, exhibitions, walking tours, and debates — all proving that Jewish life in Krakow is not over. On the contrary, it is a reason for great celebration!
Over 60 of these events will take place at JCC Krakow. Highlights include Yiddish workshops, children’s events, lectures and debates about Kazimierz’s past and present, guided city tours, group Torah study, culinary workshops, and meetings with our community members, volunteers, and other individuals who are sources of inspiration in the Jewish world.
A special highlight will be the “Big Shabbat Dinner” — an annual event that brings together participants of Ride For The Living, JCF guests, community members, and anyone who wants to celebrate Shabbat together. Every year, we host over 700 people, and it’s an unforgettable experience for everyone who takes part!
How did the population of Krakow react to such programs?
Since its first edition in 1988, the Jewish Culture Festival (JCF) has been a true gem on Krakow’s cultural map. Its rich, multicultural character and smart, multidimensional programming have no equivalent, drawing tens of thousands of participants each year from Krakow and around the world. In 2024, over 22,000 people took part in 176 events.
It’s no surprise that the festival is not only beloved by Krakow’s residents but also widely recognized as one of the most important and best Jewish culture festivals in the world.
Which place linked to Krakow’s Jewish heritage should be better known?
I warmly invite you to visit JCC Krakow, located in the heart of Kazimierz. In recent years, Krakow’s Jewish community has experienced incredible growth and development.
This transformation is the result of many factors. First and foremost, it is thanks to the dedication of the Polish Jewish community, whose incredible efforts preserve Jewish heritage while building a strong future. But growth has also come in response to tragic events.
The war in Ukraine forced many Ukrainian Jews — and non-Jews — to flee their homes in search of safety. Since 2022, JCC Krakow has been running a “Free Shop” — a place where Ukrainian refugees, regardless of their background, can receive essential supplies at no cost.
The tragic events in Israel on October 7th, and the war that followed, also brought some Israeli families to Krakow in search of peace and stability. Others had already come earlier for personal or professional reasons. Here in Krakow, they have found not only a safe haven, but also a warm, supportive community that welcomes them and makes them feel at home.
For all these reasons — and many more — a visit to JCC Krakow is a must during your stay in the city!