Lviv Oblast of Ukraine to Host Jewish Heritage Week: 11 Events Planned in 9 Cities

From May 23 to May 30, 2025, the Lviv region will host a unique cultural and educational project titled "Jewish Cultural Heritage Week".
As part of this event, 11 activities will be held in 9 cities of the region — Lviv, Drohobych, Sokal, Sambir, Stryi, Bolekhiv, Zolochiv, Dobromyl, and Rozdil — aimed at preserving and updating the Jewish heritage of Galicia.
This is reported by the Lviv Regional State Administration.
“For centuries, Jewish communities have been an essential part of the development of Lvivshchyna, shaping its trade connections, architectural appearance, everyday life, traditions, and educational institutions. Heritage Week is about rethinking, restoring, and having an open conversation about our shared past, which can be returned to a shared future through the development of tourism,” said Roman Khimyak, Director of the Department of Sports, Youth, and Tourism of Lviv Regional State Administration.
The project “Jewish Cultural Heritage Week” is part of the international cultural project Jewels Tour, aimed at preserving and promoting Jewish heritage in Central and Eastern Europe through research, memory, and intercultural dialogue.
Organizers and Partners of the Initiative
The main organizers are:
- Department of Sports, Youth, and Tourism of Lviv Regional State Administration
- Lviv Region Development Agency
- Honorary Consulate of the State of Israel in Ukraine
- LLC “Palace Rozdil”
- Charitable Foundation “Spadschyna.UA”
- All-Ukrainian Jewish Charitable Foundation “Khessed-Arie”
Program of Events of Jewish Cultural Heritage Week in Lviv Region
1. Saturday, May 24, 2025
Time: 16:00 – 19:00
Place: Rozdil village, Sichovykh Striltsiv St. 9 (“Old School”) / Hrushevskoho St. 33 (Zhevushky-Lyantskoronsky Palace)
Event: Excursion to the Jewish heritage sites of Rozdil.
- 16:00 – 17:00: Excursion to Jewish heritage sites in Rozdil (Jewish cemetery, synagogue, old part of the city, Jewish district where Mark Zuckerberg's family lived).
- 17:00 – 18:00: Tasting of Jewish Rozdil cuisine at the palace's barn.
- 18:00 – 19:00: Mini-conference:
- Presentation of the Jewish history of Rozdil
- Synagogues in Rozdil: history of spiritual heritage sites
- Historical cemeteries and old Jewish cemeteries as cultural heritage sites
- Famous residents of Rozdil
- 19:00 – 20:00: Excursion through the palace and park complex of the Zhevushky-Lyantskoronsky family.
2. Sunday, May 25, 2025
Time: 13:00 – 15:00
Place: Sokal city, Sheptytskoho St. 28
Event: Excursion to Jewish cultural heritage sites in Sokal.
- Exhibition of historical photographs and books about Jewish Sokal.
- Stories of famous Jews from the Sokal region.
- Concert program.
3. Monday, May 26, 2025
Time: 12:00 – 14:00
Place: Belz city, Ukraine Square (central square)
Event: Journey through Jewish history in Belz.
4. Tuesday, May 27, 2025
Time: 16:00 – 18:00
Place: Lviv city, Bratів Mikhnovskykh St. 4
Event: Excursion to the Tsori Gilod Synagogue in Lviv (Beys Aharon ve Israel community).
Registration required link
5. Tuesday, May 27, 2025
Time: 14:00 – 16:00
Place: Drohobych city, T. Shevchenko St. 38
Event: Excursion to the “Drohobychchyna” Museum with the exhibition “Bruno Schulz and his City.”
- Video-story with Alfred Shraer – the last representative of the Galician Jewish intelligentsia.
- Excursion to the Drohobych synagogue.
6. Tuesday, May 27, 2025
Time: 17:00 – 19:00
Place: Stryi city, “Budytely” monument, Nezalezhnosti Square
Event: Overview of Jewish heritage sites in Stryi.
7. Wednesday, May 28, 2025
Time: 12:00 – 14:00
Place: Lviv city, Kotlyarevskogo St. 30 (All-Ukrainian Jewish Charitable Fund “Khessed-Arie”)
Event: Lecture on Jewish cultural heritage in Galicia.
- Excursion to the museum “Following the Footsteps of Galician Jews.”
8. Thursday, May 29, 2025
Time: 17:00 – 19:00
Place: Sambir city, Kupyleva St. 1 (near the former synagogue)
Event: Excursion to Jewish heritage sites in the old town.
9. Thursday, May 29, 2025
Time: 16:00 – 17:00
Place: Dobromyl city, Hrushevskoho St. 7 (near the Arsenal)
Event: Small excursion through the Jewish part of old Dobromyl and lecture on local Jewish history.
10. Friday, May 30, 2025
Time: 15:00 – 17:00
Place: Zolochiv city, Ternopilska St. 5 (Zolochiv Castle)
Event: Lecture at Zolochiv Castle on preserving Jewish cultural heritage in Zolochiv region.
Lecturer: Doctor of Art History Natalia Levkovych.
Importance of Cultural Exchange Between Israel and Ukraine
For both Israelis and Ukrainians, it is essential to preserve cultural connections, and events like Jewish Cultural Heritage Week contribute to deepening mutual understanding. The Jewish community of Ukraine plays an active role in supporting cultural projects, emphasizing its historical ties to Israel.
The events will also showcase the heritage of Jews who lived in Galicia before World War II. For example, in Rozdil, the ancestors of Mark Zuckerberg lived, and his family left a significant mark on the city’s history.
Cultural Significance of the Events and Their Role in Preserving Historical Memory
This project not only helps people better understand Jewish culture but also serves as an essential tool for preserving the memory of the tragedies and achievements of the Jewish people in Ukraine. It is important to note that many events, such as the memory of Jewish cemeteries and synagogues, aim to preserve cultural identity despite attempts to erase the traces of Jewish presence in Galicia.
Furthermore, the project supports intercultural dialogue, as it involves not only Jewish communities but also local residents, fostering the strengthening of ties between different ethnic and religious groups.
Conclusion
The project "Jewish Cultural Heritage Week" is an important step in preserving Jewish heritage in Ukraine and contributes to strengthening the ties between Jewish and Ukrainian communities. Such cultural initiatives serve as an essential link between Israel and Ukraine, especially in times of global political instability.
NAnews - Israel News will continue to monitor the development of cultural projects that help preserve memory and strengthen peace and understanding between nations. https://nikk.agency/en/lviv-oblast-of-ukraine/