Trace on Narrow Street

events Programme

As part of our support for grassroots cultural initiatives exploring Jewish heritage and memory beyond major urban centres, we collaborated with the Trace on Narrow Street festival in Radom. Rooted in the festival’s theme Parallels, the programme unfolded in situ on Narrow Street and in surrounding locations, treating the street itself as a site of memory and a carrier of layered urban histories.

During the festival, we created a FestivALT Pop up that transformed the street and a neighbouring former hat shop into vibrant spaces of engagement. The programme included an exhibition by Jakub Skrzypczak, presenting a series of graphic collages that visually and textually interact with ancient and medieval Aramaic literary material. Presented in Polish and Aramaic, the works wove together sacred and poetic fragments from Jewish, Christian and Mandaean traditions, inviting reflection on cultural continuity, transgression and the layered nature of religious heritage. The exhibition foregrounded lesser known feminist and gender sensitive interpretations embedded within canonical texts, opening space for critical and contemporary engagement with Jewish intellectual history.

Alongside the exhibition, we presented screenings from the Kultur Docs film series, showcasing short documentaries on Polish Jewish creative practices. Screenings were followed by facilitated discussions connecting historical memory with contemporary cultural production. A key element of the programme was a heritage walk led by members of the Mi Polin collective, during which participants traced authentic physical remnants of Jewish presence, such as surviving mezuzah locations, directly within Radom’s urban fabric.

In January, together with Resursa Obywatelska, we also co organised a Purim Ball for pre school children in a community venue in Radom. This family friendly event introduced Jewish cultural traditions through costumes, music, storytelling and creative activities, strengthening cooperation with local partners and offering an early entry point into Jewish heritage for young audiences.

We realised the project in cooperation between FestivALT and the Trace on Narrow Street festival, organised by Resursa Obywatelska in collaboration with local partners. Combining FestivALT’s international curatorial experience with Resursa Obywatelska’s strong local embeddedness enabled us to deliver a programme rooted in place and accessible to diverse audiences. The activities engaged local residents of all ages, families, artists, cultural practitioners, educators, heritage professionals, NGOs, civic activists and international visitors, including descendants of Radom Jews. By combining outdoor public engagement, artistic exploration and participatory heritage practice, the project fostered inclusive encounters with Jewish memory embedded in the contemporary city.

📸 Damian Drabik