MINSK, 6 April (BelTA) - A traditional Passover music festival took place at the Beit Simcha Center for Progressive Judaism in Minsk on 5 April. The event has been a tradition since 2005, Grigory Abramovich, Chief Rabbi of the Religious Association of the Progressive Judaism Communities in the Republic of Belarus, told BelTA.
“Traditionally, Jews read the ‘Song of Songs’ during Passover. Over 20 years ago, we came up with idea that we should not only read and chant ‘Song of Songs’, but also listen to other songs, perhaps even conduct an evening of singing and call it a cantorial festival,” Grigory Abramovich said.
Grigory Abramovich noted that before the pandemic, the festival drew guests from various countries. Restoring that tradition has not been possible yet. Nevertheless, people still come to perform both synagogue pieces and folk songs.
“By the way, we do not only perform Jewish music. We also recognize that Catholic and Orthodox believers celebrate Easter around this time. When the holidays do not coincide, we invite them, we even ask choirs to sing various chants,” Grigory Abramovich said adding that the festival focuses primarily on spiritual music.
“Traditionally, Jews read the ‘Song of Songs’ during Passover. Over 20 years ago, we came up with idea that we should not only read and chant ‘Song of Songs’, but also listen to other songs, perhaps even conduct an evening of singing and call it a cantorial festival,” Grigory Abramovich said.
He explained that cantors are people who perform biblical songs in the synagogue and within communities. The festival brings these people together.
Grigory Abramovich noted that before the pandemic, the festival drew guests from various countries. Restoring that tradition has not been possible yet. Nevertheless, people still come to perform both synagogue pieces and folk songs. “By the way, we do not only perform Jewish music. We also recognize that Catholic and Orthodox believers celebrate Easter around this time. When the holidays do not coincide, we invite them, we even ask choirs to sing various chants,” Grigory Abramovich said adding that the festival focuses primarily on spiritual music.
For the first time this year, children were asked to perform a few pieces. Every year, this musical event offers something new. But the key thing about the festival is that music brings people together, the Chief Rabbi noted.
Photos by Andrei Sinyavsky/BelTA
Photos by Andrei Sinyavsky/BelTA
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