Yiddish culture celebrates 25 years: Big festival in Erfurt starts soon!

Yiddish culture celebrates 25 years: Big festival in Erfurt starts soon!

Erfurt, Deutschland - The summer of 2025 is all about the Yiddish Erbes, because the yiddish Summer Weimar (YSW) celebrates its 25th anniversary. From July 12th to August 17th, visitors from all over the world can immerse themselves in the fascinating Yiddish culture in Erfurt and Weimar. The festival starts with a large opening concert on July 12th, in which the Yam ensemble, Ilya Shneyveys and young talents from Turkey, Greece and Germany rock the stage.

The program has it all: a total of 28 workshops, a comprehensive film series and a late night cabaret are part of the offer. Concerts with over 100 musicians from all over the world are also on the plan. YSW has attracted many talents and spectators with its intercultural orientation since its foundation in 1999. Every year there are between 10,000 and 15,000 visitors who appreciate the diversity of Yiddish culture.

diverse program and workshops

The festival offers a wide range of workshops that take place from July 13th to August 16. Topics such as "The other Europeans" or "New Yiddish Music" are on the agenda. Interested parties can choose between 3 hours and 6-hour workshops that are suitable for all levels. A rousing dance ball will take place on August 9th, while the gala will crown the festival on August 17th.

Overall, numerous appearances await the audience, including with the Yam Ensemble , which will play on July 13th in the Erfurt Zughafen, as well as the Ensemble Dray Doyres in the small synagogue on July 19. Other highlights are Dan Kahn and the vocal duo Soveles on July 24th and Gennady Fomin in the Jewish community on July 27th. Yair Dalal and the Caravan Orchestra, which will occur in the Zughafen on August 16, also set highlights.

cultural relevance

The festival not only promotes the exchange between musicians of different origins, but also contributes to the recognition of the Yiddish language and culture. This has its roots in Aschkenas and was recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage. While around 11 million people spoke yiddish in front of the Schoah, today there are only around 1.2 million. Alan Bern , the festival manager, emphasizes that it is a central task of the festival to show the joy in the Yiddish culture and at the same time not to forget the dark chapters of history.

For everyone who wants to take part in this colorful program, tickets are available online as well as in the tourist information from Weimar, Erfurt and Eisenach. This year promises a very special experience that honors the past and looks into the future. It will certainly be a festity that touches the hearts of all those interested in culture!