The “Izmir Jewish Heritage Project”, prepared by the Izmir Jewish Community Foundation for the preservation of the Jewish cultural heritage within the cultural richness of Izmir, was introduced. Speaking at the event held at Hevra Synagogue, Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Tunç Soyer stated that the restoration projects of Hevra and Foresteros synagogues built in the 17th century will be prepared with the project financed by the European Union Commission.
Soyer said, “We attach great importance to protecting the values of Sephardic Jews and the cultural heritage of Kemeraltı as a whole. As a matter of fact, before I took office, I promised that we would completely restore Kemeraltı, the heart of İzmir, one of the oldest and largest open-air bazaars in the world. In this regard, I must proudly say that we accelerated our work with our stakeholders and succeeded in placing Kemeraltı on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage tentative list. Now our ultimate goal is; In 2023, to be on the permanent list”.
President Tunç Soyer stated that the cultural heritage will become more visible with the projects carried out.
Head of the European Union (EU) Delegation to Turkey Ambassador Nikolaus Meyer-Landrut stated that the cultural heritage will become more visible with the projects carried out. Konak Mayor Abdul Batur noted that Konak hosts important works of art, especially Kemeraltı. Project Coordinator Nesim Bencoya from the Izmir Jewish Community Foundation explained the details of the project by thanking the supporters one by one. Sedef Özer, Secretary General of the Izmir Association of our city, gave information about the project.
Restoration will be done
Within the scope of the project, activities aimed at preserving the Jewish cultural heritage in İzmir and transferring it to future generations will be realized for 36 months. Restoration projects will be prepared for the Hevra and Foresteros synagogues, which were built in the 17th century but are derelict, located in the Synagogues of Izmir Historical City Center. Various promotional activities will be carried out to promote the project. Our City İzmir Association is a partner in the project financed by the European Union Commission.
Who Participated?
Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Tunç Soyer, Konak Mayor Abdul Batur, Project Coordinator Nesim Bencoya from Izmir Jewish Community Foundation, Secretary General of Our City Izmir Association Sedef Özer, Head of European Union (EU) Delegation to Turkey Ambassador Nikolaus Meyer-Landrut, Consul General of Switzerland in Istanbul. Julien Thöni, German Consul General in Izmir Detlev Wolter, Italy Izmir Consul Valerio Giorgio, Izmir Culture and Tourism Provincial Director Murat Karacanta, Aegean Industrialists and Businessmen Association (ESİAD) Chairman of the Board Mustafa Karabağlı, former Konak Mayor Sema Pekdaş, members of the Jewish community and historians attended. (İZ Gazete)
