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Cetate Synagogue Mărășești Street 6

The Citadel Synagogue will display during the festival the installation of Ioana Nemeş (The Wall Project, 2014). The Citadel Synagogue was build between 1862 and 1865, after the blueprints of the Viennese architect Ignaz Schumann.

After its establishment as a synagogue on September 19, 1865, the Emperor Franz Joseph 1st inaugurates the synagogue for a second time in 1872. Before the beginning of the Second World War, the number of the prosperous Jewish community raised up to over 12.000 people, that is approximately 10% of the city’s population.

The Citadel Synagogue has an eclectic style, typical for the second half of the 19th century, using ornaments of the Moorish architecture and symbolic decorations, specific to the Mosaic cult. It is a large building, reflecting this way the wealth of the Jewish community of 19th century’s city. The building distinguish itself from the others through its façade that holds up large towers, constructed from apparent brick and glazed ceramic tiles. The Synagogue’s plan has a rectangular shape, with domes and arches and a vestibule and two towers on the Western side.

Due to the today’s small community of Jews, which numbers up to 700 people, the building hasn’t been used as a prazing place anymore. Since 2005 the building is opened to the public and hosts formal and informal events, ranging from classical music concerts, conferences and theatre plays. Starting from 2009 the building hosts the international festival of media art, experimental and electronic music „Simultan” (7-10 October). Art Encounters wants to maintain the tradition of unconventional usage, this time as an exhibition space for visual arts. In the same time, we wish to show to the public the outstanding qualities of the building, and raise an alarm about the need for its restoration and conservation.

We would like to thank the Jewish Community for letting us use the Synagogue for the exhibition between the Art Encounters biennale.

Exhibitions

The Wall Project Sound installation by Ioana Nemeș Cetate Synagogue 2-31 October, Saturday and Sunday, 11:00-19:00

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