Simcha Festival of Jewish Culture in Wroclaw

The Simcha Festival in Wrocław is an annual Jewish Culture Festival held since 1999, aimed at popularizing and celebrating Jewish culture, history, and traditions in the city. It is one of the most important cultural events in Lower Silesia and the third largest Jewish festival in Poland.

• It takes place mainly in the Synagogue “Pod Białym Bocianem” and other locations in Wrocław’s “District of Mutual Respect” and city center.

• The festival includes a rich program of concerts, workshops, literary meetings, lectures, film screenings, guided tours tracing Jewish heritage in Wrocław, and traditional Jewish events such as the Sabbath welcoming service and Jewish street market (Jarmark Żydowski).

• The festival combines tradition with modernity, offering music performances (especially klezmer), educational activities, and opportunities to engage with Jewish rituals and customs.

• It promotes multicultural awareness and celebrates the Jewish contribution to the region’s culture and history.

• Each year, the festival may have a thematic focus; for example, the 2024 edition was dedicated to the memory of Abraham Geiger, a notable Jewish reformer and former rabbi in Wrocław.

• The event attracts artists, scholars, and audiences interested in Jewish culture from Poland and abroad.

• Many events are free, though some require tickets or prior registration.

In summary, the Simcha Festival is a vibrant cultural celebration that fosters understanding and appreciation of Jewish heritage through music, art, education, and community gatherings in Wrocław.