TIKWAH – The Festival of Jewish Music Welcomes 8,000 Visitors
Jewish music programme to be embedded in the 2026/2027 season
TIKWAH – The Festival of Jewish Music, jointly led by the Philharmonie Essen and the Alte Synagoge Essen in collaboration with six additional partner organisations – Aalto Musiktheater, Schauspiel Essen, Folkwang Musikschule, Klezmerwelten Gelsenkirchen, Lichtburg Essen and Politisches Forum Ruhr e.V. – took place at various venues across Essen, showcasing the remarkable diversity of Jewish music and culture. The 24 events, attended by around 8,000 visitors, ranged from concerts and discussions to lectures, theatre projects and film screenings.
Following its great success, a continuation of the subject for the 2026/2027 season was announced today. The festival will open on 18 October 2026 with the event “Jüdischer Tango – Jiddische Musik in Lateinamerika” (Jewish Tango – Yiddish Music in Latin America) at the Alte Synagoge Essen. Further highlights include a klezmer crossover evening with the Grammy-winning ensemble The Klezmatics and Sapir Heller’s theatrical walk “Lebendige Stolpersteine”.
“With the TIKWAH festival, which was realised last year jointly by eight partners from Essen and the Ruhr region, we have entered new territory. This festival, presenting Jewish music across different eras and styles, has been a great success. Being able to announce its continuation today makes us proud of this achievement, as the project has made Jewish culture visible and built bridges within society. Continuing to support it as a foundation is in keeping with our long-standing commitment to promoting German-Jewish understanding,” said Dr Michaela Muylkens, Member of the Board of the Krupp Foundation.
The festival is supported by the Krupp Foundation.