2025 European Days of jewish culture

People of the Book: 2025 EDJC at Tarbut Sighet

The theme for the European Days of Jewish Culture (EDJC) 2025 is “People of the Book.” This phrase invites us to reflect on the profound role of the written word in Jewish culture and its broader connections with Christianity and Islam. At its core, the theme centers on the Tanakh, the foundational text of Judaism, which has been a source of guidance, inspiration, and identity for generations.

“People of the Book” speaks to the enduring power of language and memory to connect us across time and place. It reminds us that Jewish manuscripts and literary works are not just artifacts of the past, but living expressions of resilience and a commitment to preserving, adapting and living knowledge. By embracing this theme, we honor the role of words in connecting us to the past, guiding us in the present, and inspiring us to imagine a more inclusive future.

The European Days of Jewish Culture

Organized by the European Association for the Preservation and Promotion of Jewish Culture and Heritage (AEPJ), the European Days of Jewish Culture festival takes place in cities across the continent from September to December, usually beginning around the Jewish New Year. The program aims to offer local, non-Jewish European communities a deeper understanding of the diversity and richness of Jewish culture.

Tarbut Foundation: Breaking the Silence

Tarbut Foundation Sighet is a proud member of the AEPJ and has established the EDJC as a yearly event in Sighet since 2015. Over the years, we have expanded our reach, conducting editions of the program in Oradea, Cluj, Baia Mare, and Bucharest.

Our mission is guided by the words of Sighet-born Nobel laureate Elie Wiesel:

“Those who kept silent yesterday will remain silent tomorrow.” — Night (1960)

We strive to break that silence by preserving memory and fostering dialogue. Our program ranges from concerts, book presentations, and launches of new publications to film screenings, lectures, and guided visits to the Jewish heritage sites of Sighet.

2025 Launch: A New Chapter in Sighet

In celebration of this year’s theme, Tarbut Foundation Sighet has established a new Judaica Section in the Sighet Public Library. Over one hundred English and Romanian volumes were donated to initiate this important resource, ensuring that the “People of the Book” continue to have a home for their stories in our city.

We invite everyone to engage with the richness of the world of words and the power of ideas. Whether through the study of ancient manuscripts or the celebration of modern writers, let us explore how texts not only document history but shape our shared identity.