The European Days of Jewish Culture are celebrated across Europe, aimed at representing and bringing closer the Jewish history, tradition, and cultural heritage to the wider public, and inspiring intercultural and interreligious dialogue, mutual understanding, and respect for differences.
This year’s joint European topic is “Love”, which will be presented to the public in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Four lectures were held today: “Significance of the Jewish Community in the Bosnian and Herzegovinian Society” and “Love in Judaism.”
The program will be accompanied by the thematic exhibition devoted to love, which will allow visitors to better explore different aspects of this year’s European theme in the context of Jewish culture and tradition.
Finci: the European Day of Jewish Culture Has Been Marked in Sarajevo since 2000
The Program of the European Days of Jewish Culture 2026 and the significance of this European initiative in the context of Bosnia and Herzegovina were presented by the President of the Jewish community of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Jakob Finci.
“Today we begin with the marking of the European Day of Jewish Culture. Although the Jews have been living in Europe for over 2,000 years, and in our country for almost 500 years, they were always a little alienated from the surroundings they live in. Then, in 1999, ahead of the 20th century, one Spanish Jewish group decided to send a letter to all Jewish communities and propose the introduction of the so-called Open Door Day, the day when all Jewish communities and synagogues will open their doors so that people we live with could see what that is and how it looks,” Finci said.
We found it unusual since the Jewish municipality in Sarajevo and our synagogue have long been open to visitors.
“We found it weird at the time, but then we accepted it, and as of 2000 Sarajevo has been marking the European Day of Jewish Culture. It started with one day, then a week, and now the entire month is filled with some activities. This year’s topic is love, because it is something today’s world, in the 21st century, lacks the most. Despite it being the main topic, there are still more than 40 places in the world where wars are being waged,” Finci said.
Here, he emphasized, we feel at home; therefore, we will be marking this European Day of the Jewish Culture as we did so far, with a range of different activities.
Džidić: Love Is Reciprocal and Obligatory
President of the Jewish municipality in Sarajevo, Rahela Džidić, stated that the theme of this year’s European Days of Jewish Culture, celebrated in all European countries, is the same – love.
“Love is reciprocal – you have to give something to receive love. Love is also obligatory. It is given as a command: love God, love your neighbor, preserve tradition,” Džidić said.
She added that in our context, it can also be given as love for the community, love for the homeland, and love for what was left to us by our ancestors.
“Our Community in Sarajevo is over 460 years old”
“Our community in Sarajevo is over 460 years old. Throughout this period, we have realized a tradition of respect, mutual love, and mutual support from citizens and members of all religious communities. This is reflected in the Jewish cemetery, which is the second largest in Europe. We didn’t have the biggest community here. It is much smaller than in other countries, but others did not preserve those cemeteries as they did here,” Džidić said.
According to her, in today’s context of misunderstanding and conflict, what each one of us can do is to give love to someone.
“It is an appeal that love does not stay only the theme of our round table, but a practice that will live on in all homes, communities, and especially in the public space,” Džidić said.
Andrle: Jewish Culture Is Part of the Joint European Cultural Heritage
The President of the Jewish Cultural, Educational, and Humanitarian Society “La Benevolencija” Sarajevo, Vladimir Andrle, said that European Days of Jewish Culture are an initiative at the European level and are organized to demonstrate Jewish culture as part of the European cultural heritage, joint heritage.
“We, as a country on European soil and leaning towards Europe, join these initiatives gladly. This year we have prepared a rich program which will last till mid-November,” Andrle said.
The Program Lasts Until Mid-November
The European Days of Jewish Culture 2026 are implemented by the JKPHD “La Benevolencija” and the Jewish Community in Sarajevo, with the support of the Federal Ministry of Culture and Sports and the City of Sarajevo, Fena writes.
