The Jüdische Kulturbund Project

This month’s History Happy Hour is an exploration of how artists have responded to political repression, both historically and contemporarily.

The Jüdische Kulturbund was an institution created by unemployed Jewish performers with the consent of the Nazis “for” the Jewish population.  The Kulturbund put on theatrical performances, concerts, exhibitions, operas and lectures all over Germany, performed by Jewish entertainers, artists, writers, scientists etc., who were no longer permitted by the Nazi Party regime to appear before German audiences. Thus, Jewish performers could again earn their livelihood, however scarce. The performances took place at authorized segregated venues with “Jewish only” attendance, meaning Jewish Germans and gentile Germans of Jewish descent and their eventually gentile spouses.

Hear Gail Prensky tell the extraordinary story of the Jüdische Kulturbund and discuss her project’s initiatives:  multimedia play, dramatic feature film, and education programs based on the Kulturbund’s history. Gail connects the work of those performers to current-day artists creating art under oppression.

Gail Prensky, creator and executive producer of The Jüdische Kulturbund Project, has written, produced, and directed books, films, multimedia ventures, and exhibitions for the Pew Charitable Trust, National Geographic, the Smithsonian Institution, and Time-Life books, among other institutions. Through her company, Meteopa Productions, Gail addresses issues of advocacy, the arts, human rights, and international themes.

History Happy Hours are brought to you by Therrien Waddell Construction Group.  Happy Hours include complimentary drinks and hors d’oeuvres.