In March, Dagesh – Studio on the Road launched at the German Hygiene Museum Dresden: a new nationwide event series bringing contemporary Jewish art to different cities across Germany and creating space for encounter, discourse, and artistic exchange.
The theme of the evening – transformation and revelation as artistic practice – was deliberately conceived around the Jewish holiday of Purim: a festival of resilience, masquerade, and liberation. The opening featured a powerful performance by Ido Gotlib and actress Deborah Schneidermann, bringing the biblical figure of Queen Esther into the present day.
In the subsequent panel discussion – moderated by Dagesh curator Daniel Laufer – writer Lana Lux, photographer Benyamin Reich, and artist Anna Schapiro discussed identity, women’s roles, and artistic practice between concealment and disclosure within a non-Jewish majority society. Benyamin Reich captured the mood with a pointed remark:
“For Jews in Germany, it’s basically always Purim.”
This is precisely why formats like Dagesh – Studio on the Road are so important: as a platform where Jewish artists can become visible without having to disguise themselves.
The event was more than a single evening. The day before, a Dagesh-on-Tour workshop took place in cooperation with the Cultural Office of Dresden, drawing a strong response. At the same time, 20 network members traveled from across Germany for a meeting that offered space for exchange and mutual support.
The program included a workshop on challenges in the music scene, led by the DJ duo Balagan Sisters, as well as a visit to the project “The Eternal Script – A Torah for Dresden,” including a conversation with curator and Dagesh member Jahna Dahms.
A moving conclusion was provided by the musical contribution of Israeli musician Yehuda Kornfeld. As he was unable to travel from Israel due to the war in the Middle East, he made his yet-unreleased album available – and everyone listened together, separated by distance yet connected. Despite the weight of the moment – with thoughts also turning to the people on the ground, to friends and families – a space for encounter emerged.
The response to the evening in Dresden was overwhelming and powerfully reaffirmed how important formats are that bring together Jewish art, discourse, and community.
We would like to sincerely thank all visitors, our panel guests, network members, cooperation partners, and supporters for these days in Dresden. We are especially grateful to the Jewish Community of Dresden, the Hygiene Museum Dresden, Nevatim, the Dresden Police, and Shual Security for their wonderful collaboration and their commitment.
