THE PROJECT
Rediscovering the cities’ jewish cultural heritage by bringing it to the European present.
Much of the rich and complex European history and cultural heritage is deeply rooted in Jewish related elements – not only with the story of migrations, persecutions and precariousness but also resulting from the profusion of cultural, scientific and social exchanges between nations and individuals. Just as many other cultures and countries contribute to our shared heritage, Jewish history is an indispensable component of what we call Europe today. Yet it still remains much unknown to the general public nowadays.
Initiated by the European Association for the Preservation and Promotion of Jewish Culture and Heritage (AEPJ), Parallel Traces is a cross-cutting, collaborative, pan-European project that offers a renewed look at the significance of Jewish heritage today. By unearthing the traces of the Jewish cultural heritage in urban architecture and planning in Europe, it offers an original and rigorous perspective on the past, present and future of European Jewish history and encourages mutual understanding and respect amongst different cultures and modes of artistic expression. More specifically the project activity will be centred around three main threads:
- Development of an app “Parallel Traces” that will make available information on local Jewish Heritage to the general public;
- Organisation of a large pan-European contest in order to select a series of artworks presenting the reality of Jewish heritage;
- Hosting of local exhibitions presenting the selected works of the contest.
To achieve the aforementioned, the project will rely on different mechanisms of building on existing localized knowledge of Jewish Heritage sites, engaging with existing artistic networks and local communities, facilitation of the creation of new digital artwork and representations of Heritage in a contemporary context.
Parallel Traces is co-funded by the European Union within the framework of the Creative Europe programme.
OBJECTIVES
ORIGINAL ART
To unearth specific traces of tangible European Jewish Heritage Urban Spaces through the creation of original digital artwork, as valuable artistic material with cross-border visibility;
ARTISTS MOBILITY
To facilitate the transnational circulation of original digital artwork and to create opportunities for increased artist mobility;
AWARENESS RAISING
To raise awareness among local communities about the Jewish heritage in their surroundings;
DIGITISATION OF DATA
To digitise existing data and other relevant cultural information, in order to facilitate its access by users among the general public in a user-friendly and innovative way that brings people and culture closer together by engaging people and local communities in experiencing, enjoying and appreciating the arts and culture which are part of their own reality.
OUR VALUES
Sustainable Outputs
Parallel Traces was conceptualised to be sustainable, and the major outputs of the action can be integrated into and form part of longer-term initiatives. Firstly, the created artwork will generate value beyond the life of this particular project. Secondly, a new application offering augmented reality interactive visits will be created and can be subsequently used for educational purposes, tourism, or policy development around cultural heritage sites.
Heritage as a living entity
The Parallel Traces project takes as a premise the consideration of heritage sites and heritage traces as kind of laboratories to re-interpret traditions and art as means to encourage activities and artistic projects which explore the links between heritage and contemporary culture. In that sense, the whole Project intends to treat the heritage traces not as static elements or entities, but as living and dynamic, in permanent evolution. Our goal is to use them to inspire new arts and contemporary creation including digital arts, music, performances and installations while ensuring continuity in the cultural significance of the place and the theme.
THE PARTNERS
An independent municipal organism established in 1992 by the Girona City Council, the Girona Provincial Council and the Autonomous Government of Catalonia. The Patronat is responsible for the physical and cultural restoration of the Jewish Heritage in Girona, including the renovation, revitalisation and promotion of the “Call” (the historic Jewish Quarter).
An organisation that seeks to explore innovative approaches to researching, recording and presenting social history, architecture, public policy through the fields of culture, new media and tourism and to empower the initiatives of individuals and groups relevant to the urban and social development of the city.
Committed to furthering mutual respect and human rights through the perspective of the tragic European Jewish experience. The foundation started its activities in 2006 and since then has been working on promoting and reviving Jewish Culture, overcoming stereotypes and preventing racism, antisemitism and intolerance.
A foundation which major missions are providing information to all Maramures Jewish Heritage generations about the history of the Jews pre and post Holocaust, and producing and staging cultural Jewish programs teaching about the Jewish Heritage and history of the Jews in Maramures Pre and Post Holocaust, at regional high schools, libraries, community centers, theatres and Jewish synagogues.