Two Anniversary Celebrations
Freie Universität's Institute of Jewish Studies Celebrates 50-Year Anniversary on June 16 and 17 with Musical Evening and a Conversation about Israeli Literature
№ 199/2014 from Jun 02, 2014
The Institute of Jewish Studies at Freie Universität Berlin is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year with two festive events. On June 16, 2014, the Italian pianist Roberto Prosseda will play pieces by Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy in the Jewish Museum Berlin. The performance will include Songs without Words; Variations sérieuses, Op. 54; Children's Pieces, Op. 72; Waltz in D Major; Oh Happy Reunion; and Rondo Capriccioso, Op. 14 as well as a Mendelssohn piece re-composed by Luca Lombardi (b. 1945) especially for this occasion. On June 17, 2014, the Israeli writer David Grossman will be a guest at Freie Universität, where he will have a conversation with the director of the Institute of Jewish Studies, Prof. Dr. Giulio Busi, on the topic “Israeli Literature Today.” Both events are open to the public, and admission is free.
In 1963, in line with its academic understanding of truth, justice, and freedom, Freie Universität Berlin founded the first Institute of Jewish Studies in Germany. During the following decades the institute evolved into a center for Jewish studies that draws attention both nationally and internationally. Numerous prominent scholars conducted research and taught there, including: Jakob Taubes (1963–1978 as director; died 1987), Marianne Awerbuch (1978–1982 as director; died 2004), Michael Brocke (1988–1996; winner of the Moses Mendelssohn Medal), and Joseph Dan (1993–2003; 1997 winner of the Israel Prize).
The events are being sponsored by the Jewish Museum Berlin, the Axel Springer Foundation, the Center of Jewish Studies Berlin-Brandenburg, the Embassy of Israel, and the Ernst Reuter Society of Friends, Supporters, and Alumni of Freie Universität Berlin.
Time and Location
Piano Recital featuring works by Mendelssohn Bartholdy & Lombardi
- Monday, June 16, 2014, 8:30 p.m.
- Jewish Museum Berlin, Lindenstraße 9–14, 10969 Berlin; subway station: Hallesches Tor (U1, U6) and Kochstr. / Checkpoint Charlie (U6)
David Grossman talks with Prof. Giulio Busi about "Israeli Literature Today"
- Tuesday, June 17, 2014, 6 to 8 p.m., Freie Universität Berlin, Habelschwerdter Alle 45, 14195 Berlin; subway station: Dahlem-Dorf or Thielplatz (U3)
Further Information
Prof. Dr. Giulio Busi, Institute of Jewish Studies, Freie Universität Berlin, Tel.: +49 30 838-52002, Email: busi@zedat.fu-berlin.de