Jewish summer festival highlights Budapest urban culture

A major Jewish cultural festival will get under way in Budapest, Hungary’s capital, later this month and in early September, highlighting important parts of this diverse European city’s heritage, as well as showcasing its contemporary culture. The celebrations will occur mainly around the Dohany Street Synagogue, an impressive Moorish structure, which happens to be the largest Jewish place of worship in Europe and the second largest in the world. The festival, located in Budapest’s historic Jewish quarter, is particularly convenient for tourists, as it is in close proximity to all of the major city centre hotels, as well as the Deak Ferenc interchange metro station.

The Jewish cultural festival is comprised of some 70 different programs and events, such as riveting Klezmer performances, international music concerts, photographic and arts displays, as well as theatre. The festival’s highlight will be a special concert given by prominent singer and performer, Dudu Fischer. Fischer is expected to celebrate Israel’s 60^th anniversary. Potential visitors and festival participants should keep in mind that many of these performances require advance reservations and tickets, all of which are available from Budapest’s Central Ticket Office, located at 12 Sip Street. The festival closes on September 8^th, 2008.