The Rectors of the Wrocław University of Technology and Wrocław University, the Mayor of Wrocław and the President of the Bente Kahan Foundation signed a letter of intent declaring care for the multicultural heritage of Wrocław and the development of research into the history and culture of Jews in Lower Silesia.

The document was signed by Prof. Arkadiusz Wójs, Rector of Wrocław University of Technology, Prof. Robert Olkiewicz, Rector of Wrocław University, Jacek Sutryk, Mayor of Wrocław, and Bente Kahan, President of the Bente Kahan Foundation.

The signatories of the agreement agreed to work together to raise funds to enable work to be carried out in the tangible (preservation, restoration, and renovation work) and intangible (research and education, cultural tourism and culture) areas. The agreement also involves joint applying for funding from Horizon Europe 2021-2027 and other available European and national support funds.

The joint projects will include caring for the multicultural heritage of Wrocław and restoring the Jewish community’s rightful place in it, restoring and recreating Wrocław’s Jewish artefacts and commemorating them with dignity, public education and the dissemination of memorials, reflection, and management at the European level.

The Bente Kahan Foundation was established on the initiative of Bente Kahan, a Norwegian artist of Jewish origin. The artist partnered with Maciej Sygit, a socially engaged local entrepreneur. The foundation began its activities with the renovation and revitalisation of Wrocław’s White Stork Synagogue building.

Committed to the tragic experiences of the Jews of Europe, the Bente Kahan Foundation works to promote the idea of mutual respect and respect for human rights. At the Centre for Jewish Culture and Education in the White Stork Synagogue, it organises exhibitions, film screenings, cooking workshops, lectures, meetings, concerts, and educational performances.

Arkadiusz Słomczyński