On September 4, the first stage of the project was presented to Lviv community: the preserved remains of the “Golden Rose” synagogue, the foundation of a House of Learning (Bet Ha-Midrash), and the “Perpetuation” installation.
According to the project authors, this is the first time in Ukraine the landmarks of Jewish history are honored and preserved not by NGOs or charitable foundations, but by Lviv City Council in collaboration with other organizations.
“This is the first step. We hope that the second stage will commence soon, and that Jewish places in Ukraine will continue to be commemorated,” said Adel Dianova, director of the All-Ukrainian Jewish Charitable Foundation Hesed-Arieh, at the opening ceremony.
The opening ceremony of the “Synagogue Space” was attended by Mayor Andrii Sadovy, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany Ernst Reichel, Honorary Consul of Israel in the Western region Oleh Vyshniakov, MPs of different levels, representatives of partner organizations and research collectives.
Those present at the event have noted that the “Synagogue Space” is important not only for the Jews of Lviv and the local community, but for the Jews all over the world. “Lviv attracts visitors with its amazing atmosphere, unique culture, rich architecture,” spoke Vyshniakov. “I’m sure that the ‘Synagogue Space’ will become a tourist magnet.”
The three sacred buildings (“Golden Rose,” Bet Ha-Midrash, and the Great City Synagogue) were destroyed in the 1940s. Since Ukraine gained independence, these sites in the city center had been dilapidated. Eight years ago an international architectural competition was announced to commemorate the local Jewish history in Lviv. Franz Reschke, architect from Berlin, won the competition to create the memorial space in the Jewish quarter.
The implementation of the project had started in July 2015. Since then, a conservation effort has been commenced to preserve the surviving remnants of the “Golden Rose” synagogue, including the installation of a drainage system.
2017 will see the works started at the site of the Great City Synagogue. The principal motto of the project is “The Jewish history of Lviv is a common heritage and responsibility.”
