Credit: Event production team
From 20 to 22 November, Oporto hosted three events dedicated to klezmer music: two concerts at Clube Fenianos and a performance at the Holocaust Museum of Oporto, the latter in partnership with the Mekor Haim Choir. The British band Taybelekh guided the audience through klezmer and Ladino repertoires and traditional dances, creating a vibrant atmosphere that brought together admirers of Jewish culture and members of local communities, including the Jewish Community of Oporto and HaMakom.
The initiative, organised by David Hayes with the support of Marcos Bazmandegan, aimed to raise funds for the Holocaust Museum of Oporto. At the same time, Clube Fenianos hosted the exhibition “The Righteous”, dedicated to Christians and Muslims who risked their lives to save Jews during the Holocaust.
"It was wonderful to see such an enthusiastic multi-generational audience of local people and some visiting tourists at all the events. It also was also a great surprise when at the Museum event, 10 women began dancing with the guidance of Ilana Cravitz, our lead musician and dance leader. To Jews being happy and full of life should be an inspiration to all of us all in a building devoted to the remembrance of genocide. The spontaneous dancing shows that despite everything thrown at us over the centuries we still have 'Chai' the spirit to live and have even have fun!", declares Hayes.
The event was also attended by representatives of several religious denominations, including Mons. Agostinho Jardim Moreira (Catholic Church), Prof. Mahmoud Soares (Islamic community of Oporto) and Rev. Fr. Colin Jones (Anglican Communion). Given the positive reception, Bazmandegan announced that the “The Righteous” exhibition will be adapted for presentation in schools across the country, bringing students inspiring examples of courage, solidarity and resilience.
The occasion also marked the launch of Bazmandegan’s new book, dedicated to Uriel da Costa, a figure from Porto who sought, in Amsterdam, a return to the roots of Judaism. Published in Portuguese and English, the work highlights the thinker’s impact on the development of the critical spirit that preceded Spinoza’s philosophical reflections, and is available for purchase on Amazon.es.
