The city of Penamakor hosts the Second International Congress of Judaism and Interculturalism from Monday to Wednesday, in which more than 50 researchers from nine countries take part.
Following last year’s first Congress in Fortaleza, Brazil, the Congress takes place in the village of Rayana in the Castelo Branco district and aims to discuss directions of research in the field of Jewish culture and identity in the world, from historical to archaeological and anthropological perspectives, museological or sociological.
This moment will be used by the municipality to present the digital catalog of the Casa da Memória da Medicina Sephardita Ribeiro Sanches, a space inaugurated in 2021 dedicated to the doctor, philosopher and scientist of Jewish origin born in the municipality and the “Ambassador of Penamacor”. “especially in France and in Russia, where he became the empress’s physician,” municipal president António Bates said in a statement to Lusa.
The mayor of Penamacor highlighted the presence of many “very visible” signs of the Jewish presence in the municipality, namely in Bemposta and the historical area of Penamacor, a heritage that he believes has the potential to be explored and increased in interest from a tourist point of view, as part of the Network of Jewish Quarters.
“The territories must try to explore the best that they have and the potential of each of them, and obviously this Jewish aspect, and the personality of Ribeiro Sánchez, at that time a great symbol of the history of all Europe, has its value, and we have we owe explore this added value and turn it into a tourist attraction,” emphasized António Bates in a conversation with Lusa.
The mayor stressed that various discussions over the course of three days will discuss the work, life and legacy of Ribeiro Sanches, and that “this is a huge topic on which there can be many good and very fruitful discussions.” about Judaism and interculturality.
Dedicated to the theme “Culture and Identity”, the 55 planned messages cover various aspects, and the goal of the Congress is to provide “cultural immersion” and includes initiatives aimed at encouraging and supporting research focused on the territory of Penamacor, as a border region, as well as historical research, and anthropological ones about the origin of the local population.
“This is an initiative with the express purpose of sharing research and highlighting new reflections on culture and identity from the perspective of Judaism and interculturality,” the organization emphasized.
The Congress is promoted by the Chamber of Penamacor, the University of Salamanca from Spain and the Historical and Geographical Institute of Santa Catarina from Brazil.
Meetings take place in the Hall of the Nobles of the Town Hall and in the Santa Casa da Misericordia de Penamacor.
In addition to communications, a Sephardic music concert featuring Paco Diez, book launches and documentary screenings are planned.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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