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Munich’s Jewish Culture Festival Opens With Igor Levit and Vicky Leandros as Officials Denounce Antisemitism

Officials used the launch to warn of a sharp rise in antisemitism since Oct. 7.

Overview

  • The 39th Jüdische Kulturtage opened at the Hubert-Burda-Saal at St. Jakobsplatz with roughly 500 to 600 prominent guests from politics and culture.
  • Justice Minister Georg Eisenreich called the period since Oct. 7 the worst wave of antisemitism in Germany since World War II.
  • Pianist Igor Levit said he has received death threats and described a wider social withdrawal from colleagues, noting his phone book has shrunk by 90 percent.
  • An Israel Philharmonic concert in Munich went ahead without disruptions under increased policing, with only a small protest outside.
  • Organizer Judith Epstein emphasized the motto “Vereint im Herzen,” presenting the festival through December 4 as an open celebration of Jewish culture to counter silence and indifference.