On August 26th the 15th edition of the Warsaw Jewish Culture Festival named after Polish-American Nobel Laureate Isaac Bashevis Singer kicked off with two fabulous musicial performances. On the stage of the Theater on the Water in Royal Łazienki Park, superstar Israeli-American songwriter and guitarist David Broza gave a solo performance (and then played with Polish-American music legend Michal Urbaniak) of his hit songs from his 40 year career, before 400 spectators at his outdoor concert. Later in the evening at the beautiful Nożyk Synagogue, the New York-based kantoral singers – and brothers – Yaakov and Shulem Lemmer gave a riveting performance backed by the Israeli men’s kantoral choir Kolot Israel. Public Affairs Counselor Frank Finver introduced David Broza at Lazienki Park while Chargé d’Affaires Eric Green gave opening remarks at the Nożyk Synagogue. The U.S. Embassy, which sponsored the two musical performances (in partnership with the Embassy of Israel in Warsaw to bring Broza here), has been a proud supporter of the Singer Festival since its inception. The Singer Festival brings star performers from all over the world to showcase various examples of Jewish culture and Yiddish traditions and influences in and on contemporary performing arts. The U.S. Embassy congratulates the Shalom Foundation, the sponsor of the festival, on its 15th edition, and encourages festivalgoers to take advantage of its rich intercultural program that runs through September 5 in Warsaw. For more information, please visit the festival’s website at http://www.festiwalsingera.pl/en/.
Photo by Renata Zawadzka-Ben Dor
