Brno to Commemorate Lost Great synagogue with Memorial and Cultural Program
Brno is undertaking a renewed effort to remember its once-grand Great Synagogue, which was destroyed in 1939 during the Nazi occupation. A memorial is planned for the site where the synagogue stood, and a program of cultural events will accompany the commemoration.
Historical Context and Destruction
The Great Synagogue, completed in 1866, was a meaningful landmark in Brno’s Jewish Quarter and one of the largest synagogues in Europe. it was tragically destroyed by the Nazis during Kristallnacht, the “Night of Broken Glass,” on November 9-10, 1939. Only a relief on the facade of a neighboring building remains as a physical reminder of the synagogue’s former presence.
New memorial and Cultural Initiatives
For decades, the site of the synagogue remained largely unmarked. Michal Doležel, a representative of the Jihomoravian region and Chairman of the Committee for Culture and Heritage Preservation, noted that it was only recently, more than eighty years after the war, that a systematic effort to commemorate this significant site in Jewish history has begun. Novinky.cz reports that a memorial will be installed on the site.
In addition to the memorial, a “poeziomat” – a device playing recordings of information about the synagogue’s history – will be permanently installed.
Ongoing archaeological Research and Public Engagement
From March to June, the Štetl Jewish Culture Center, operating under the Jewish Community of Brno, will host guided tours of the archaeological research site, allowing the public to follow the progress and learn about the findings.
Štetl Fest and commemorative Events
The first Štetl Fest, a festival of Jewish culture, will be held from August 26-30, directly referencing the site of the Great Synagogue. The festival will feature descendants of rabbi baruch Placzek, a prominent figure in Brno’s Jewish community, who will travel from various continents to participate. An anthology of poetry and short stories by contemporary writers, commemorating the life of the Jewish community, will also be published.
The Remaining Synagogue in Brno
currently, the only surviving and functioning synagogue in Brno is the Agudas Achim Synagogue, a functionalist building located on Skořepka Street.
Key Takeaways
- A memorial is being created on the site of the former Great Synagogue of Brno, destroyed in 1939.
- A “poeziomat” will provide historical information about the synagogue.
- The Štetl Jewish Culture Center will offer guided tours of the archaeological site.
- The inaugural Štetl Fest will commemorate the synagogue and Brno’s Jewish community.
- The Agudas Achim Synagogue remains the only functioning synagogue in Brno.
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