Istanbul to celebrate Turkish Jewish heritage

By Guc Gonel

ISTANBUL (AA) – Istanbul will host a series of events on Nov. 5 as part of European Days of Jewish Culture, an annual event celebrated in Europe since 1996.

According to a statement by 500 Year Foundation, the program will feature music recitals, discussions, book signings, documentary film shows, exhibitions, and traditional food.

There will also be a symbolic wedding representing the Turkish-Jewish tradition at Neve Shalom Synagogue.

The activities at the 500 Year Foundation Museum of Turkish Jews will start at 10 a.m. and continue until 6 p.m. local time (0700-1500GMT).

Last year, more than 300 cities from 33 European countries joined the European Days of Jewish Culture, with a participation of more than 169,000 people, according to The European Association for the Preservation and Promotion of Jewish Culture and Heritage.

Turkey has been celebrating the event since 2001.