Touching concert in Annaberg-Buchholz: Jewish lullaby live!

Touching concert in Annaberg-Buchholz: Jewish lullaby live!

An extraordinary concert project is imminent: On Saturday, August 30, 2025, the ensemble echo_von_nicht in Annaberg-Buchholz will bring the event "Obhut-call to the future". At 11 a.m. the mountain church of St. Marien will be the first place of performance, followed by the new cemetery at 3 p.m., where the Jewish memorial stones focus on. Admission is free and enables everyone interested to immerse yourself in the touching world of Jewish lullabies.

The artists Ingala Fortagne (vocals), Pina Rücker (Percussion) and Martin Steuber (guitar) are devoted to a program that immerses them deeply in topics of love, fear and longing. With these lullabies, they want to wake up memories of the empty spaces of Jewish life in Annaberg-Buchholz, which were created by the Holocaust. The event sees itself as a strong sign of humanity and hope for the future, funded by the city of Annaberg-Buchholz and the Land association in sight

The power of music in the Holocaust

The music of European Judaism has an eventful history, especially during the cruel time of the Holocaust. In fact, the music served many Jews as a kind of escape from the dreary reality and as an expression of their humanity. In Ghettos, as in Łódź and Warsaw, a lively music scene was created, despite the censorship by the authorities. Famous street musicians such as Jankele Herschkowitz and private music performances gave people a moment of consolation and the community despite the adverse circumstances.

Despite the hard conditions, songs such as "Es Brent" were created by Mordechai, which transported a prophetic message. Such songs, which were created in occupied areas or camps, are often the focus of commemorative days. The first collection of songs from this time, published by Schmerke Kaczerginski, contains a variety of Yiddish song texts and melodies and impressively documents the musical life of the inner strength of the survivors.

tradition and identity in Jewish music

Jewish music has always taken a central place in religious life. It is not only heard, but also understood as an expression of devotion to God. In traditional services, the voice plays an outstanding role, while instruments are often left out in favor of an intimate atmosphere. As Franz Kafka found in 1911, singing is an essential part that shapes Jewish life.

Over the centuries, Jewish music has developed further and has been shaped by various cultural influences. The reform movement in the 19th century brought in profound changes that included an integration of new musical styles. Despite the great threats accompanied by the Holocaust, the Jewish music culture experienced a remarkable resolution after the war.

The current concert project in Annaberg-Buchholz is a moving example of how music serves as a medium to keep memories and give new hope. Next Saturday everyone will have the opportunity to be part of this musical journey and to experience the power of the Jewish lullabies, which despite their often grieving stories also convey a message of life and humanity.