ANNUAL SEPHARDIC AUTUMN AND INTERNATIONAL SEPHARDIC MUSIC FESTIVAL IN CORDOVA, SPAIN CELEBRATE CENTURIES OF SPANISH JEWISH HERITAGE AND CULTURE©

 

There is evidence that Jews have been residing in Spain since the 2nd Century C.E.  The most prolific and peaceful existence for them may have been during Ummayad's Caliphate in the 10th Century C.E. while Cordova was under Moorish rule.  At that time, Cordova was the capital of the Caliphate, making it one of the most important and advanced cities in the then-Western world -- and the reason that there was a large Sephardic community living in the city.

Historical documents exist which reveal that in 10th Century Cordova, the overall population was approximately 500,000 people, among which inhabitants included around 10,000 Jews, most of whom were intellectual, educated people who spoke several languages, and who included very well-known philosophers, doctors, and commercial vendors in various trades.

Visiting Cordova today reveals the centuries of Sephardic Jewish history in Spain and the pre-Spanish Inquisition mode and quality of life of Jews sharing the city with other cultures and religions.  

The old Synagogue, its interior pictured above, dating back to the Medieval period is still extant -- one of only three synagogues remaining in Spain from prior to the commencement of the  Spanish Inquisition in the late 1400s.

EVOLUTION OF SEPHARDIC AUTUMN IN CORDOVA

On September 3rd each year, the European Day of Jewish Culture is celebrated.  This Day of Awareness about Jewish Heritage and Legacy was first instituted in 1996 in France under the formula of "Open Doors", an initiative that was joined by the Red de Juderias de Espana "Caminos de Sefarad", the Network of Jewish Quarters of Spain "Ways of the Sephardic". 

In 2005, the European Association for the Preservation and Promotion of Jewish Heritage and Culture (AEPJ) was created to coordinate the "Open Doors" project at a more inclusive international European level.  The country of Spain stood out at the international level with 145 activities in 24 cities with the participation of 35,000 people.  In Cordova alone, 50 entities participated, 77 activities were presented, and 8,265 people attended -- making this project in Cordova an absolute success.

Further, due to the international consolidation of this project, the European Day of Jewish Culture has been extended from occurring only on September 3rd of each year now to include more designated days with the incorporation of the Sephardic Autumn programming that takes place during the first two weeks of September every year, and with the International Sephardic Music Festival which either overlaps with, or immediately follows, the last few days of Sephardic Autumn every year.

Otono Sefardi (Sephardic Autumn) has evolved over the years to currently include guided tours of the Jewish Quarter, gastronomic classes about Sephardic food, education workshops and conferences, concerts and other performances of Sephardic music, special art exhibitions, kosher wine tastings and other activities celebrating Spain's acknowledgment of Jews as part of its rich and vibrant history and culture.

In 2024, Sephardic Autumn in Cordova overlaps with the International Sephardic Music Festival occurring September 11-15, 2024, now in its 22nd year.

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(Primary Sources:  EventourCordoba; Cordoba Department of Tourism; Cordoba City Council)

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