Culture, Heritage, Tradition, Youth

Quarter7Quarter8 Festival

About this project

The Quarter7Quarter8 Festival is a series of contemporary Jewish cultural programs showcasing Jewish-themed, current, relevant works of art and artists from various fields. It does that in a way that provides an insight into the context of the cultural milieu and the independent contemporary initiatives in a broader sense. It is organized twice a year, during Hanukkah and Passover, mainly in the Jewish Quarter, in various community locations, cafes, and clubs. Its primary target audience is people between 18 and 55 who frequently visit contemporary and independent cultural centers and programs and are interested in the cultural life of Budapest.

Why is it important?

The mainstream representative Jewish cultural program series, sponsored by the state and the federation, rarely introduces contemporary artists and workshops. Their role is more like image building focusing on the Jewish culture of the past and targeting older generations with their programs usually in symbolic Jewish institutions instead of supporting and introducing contemporary culture. Our goal is to recreate traditions and symbolically reclaim historical Jewish locations and quarters. We also aim to inspire and provide a space for artists and cultural professionals who deal with contemporary Jewish art and create relevant, context-shaping, forward-looking works.

Why is it special?

The project focuses on the works of young and middle-aged artists, who are also relevant in the non-Jewish cultural scene, in different genres like music, visual arts, and theater. The programs run in or near the former Jewish quarters in non-formal institutional spaces. This use of space and the approach to considering city structures are unique in Jewish cultural life as well as the number of partners and their diversity. The various locations and the different types of audiences at each location organically engage the audience and transform it into a community.