Jewish Weekends

Following extensive renovation and adaptation, the former synagogue in St. Pölten will open as a modern and barrier-free cultural and exhibition centre from April 2024. The centrepiece of the cultural programme will be a festival for Jewish culture curated by Johann Kneihs. On two weekends in June, the Former Synagogue will become the centre of a celebration of Jewish life: music tells Jewish history and stories, accompanied by readings, talks and opportunities for exchange. The programme ranges from Jewish Renaissance and Baroque music to contemporary singer-songwriters. Austrian premieres by international ensembles meet programmes developed by local artists for the festival.  

“Jewish Weekends” presents the great diversity of Jewish culture and lifestyles. Cantor Sveta Kundish, one of the first women in this traditionally male vocation, will be performing as part of the festival. One of the highlights will be the Austrian premiere of “Ghetto Songs”. The evening will take us to Venice, to the first Jewish ghetto, as the starting point for a musical journey from medieval poetry to contemporary political songs and ghetto music - conceived and realised by Frank London, the composer and trumpeter of the legendary New York band The Klezmatics, with an exquisite international cast. 

Some of the Jewish Weekends events will take place at the Bühne im Hof and the Festspielhaus St. Pölten. The festival’s central venue is the Ehemalige Synagoge.