The Venice Ghetto in 2016 celebrates 500 years of history
The term ghetto was used for the first time in Venice. Since fourteenth century, Jews were segregated in the part of the island called
geto:
in old Venetian language the verb getar means to found, and it refers to the
presence of many foundries in that particular area
, located in
Cannaregio sestiere (i.e. district). The number and the importance of Jewish community grew so much - as the complaint of Christians towards them - that
on March, 1516, the Republic of Venice instituted political rules to control and to restrict their activities.
Today, the Ghetto is still an active center of Venice, and the Jewish Community too: in order to promote this historical event, a special committee -
I cinquecento anni del Ghetto di Venezia (i.e. The five houndreds years of Venetian Ghetto) - has been created and managed by the President of Venetian Jewish Community,
Paolo Gnignati. The committee organized several formal occasions to celebrate the anniversary: an
opening ceremony and concert in the venue of The Fenice Opera House on 29 March, 2016, the
exhibition Venice, the Jews and Europe. 1516-2016, and the
restoration of Jewish Museum.
OPENING CEREMONY
On the day of the anniversary (29 March, 2016),
The Fenice Opera House will host an official ceremony: conductor
Omer Wellber is invited to lead the Fenice symphony orchestra. The event is arranged in collaboration with Fortunato Ortombina, the artistic director of La Fenice. Program:
Symphony No. 1 in C major by Gustav Mahler.
The evening is for invite only.
EXHIBITION VENICE, THE JEWS AND EUROPE. 1516-2016
Organized in collaboration with
MUVE foundation of Venice in the prestigious venue of
Doge's Palace, the international exhibition -
opened from June 19th to November 13th, 2016 - will narrate the story of Ghetto's settlement and the relationships between the Jews and the city of Venice.
The scientific committee is lead by
Donatella Calabi - professor at IUAV University of Venice, major expert on the urban history of the Jewish Ghetto - and it counts on an equipe of world-renowned scientists and researchers. Calabi is also the curator of the exhibition, realized in cooperation with Gallerie dell'Accademia, Kunsthistorisches Museum and Louvre.
DOCUMENTARY FILM
Directed by
Emanuela Giordano, the documentary film
The Venice Ghetto, 500 Years of Life recreates the story of the Venetian Ghetto collecting memories and narrations from people who could see events and live them from the inside. Everyone talks about a particular topic: the roots, the relationships between Jewish Community and Serenissima Republic, influent people of the Ghetto, the Cabala, the food, the language, arts and crafts. Little by little, we are led to discover a long story of persecution and integration.
Trailer: 500 Years of Life - promo sub eng from Tangram film on Vimeo
?>