JEWELS TOUR local participatory journey in Ferrara

News

30 May 2025

JEWELS TOUR stakeholders gathered at MEIS in Ferrara

On May 29th, stakeholders from Ferrara gathered at the MEIS – National Museum of Italian Judaism and the Shoah – for the third and final meeting of the introductory phase of the JEWELS TOUR local participatory journey.
While the previous meeting, organized in collaboration with Ferrara’s Jewish Community, offered stakeholders deeper insights into Jewish traditions, culinary culture, and religious practices (more on the second meeting here), this final session focused on Jewish history, festivities, arts, and effective strategies for promoting and enhancing this rich heritage.

Amedeo Spagnoletto, Director of MEIS, welcomed participants and guided them through the current temporary exhibition, “Bellissima Ester. Purim, una storia senza tempo” (details here)—a vibrant display dedicated to Purim, one of the most joyful holidays in the Jewish calendar, and its central figure, Queen Esther.

Following the tour, Sharon Reichel, MEIS curator, shared the museum’s recent initiatives—particularly those developed during and after the pandemic—to improve accessibility and engagement through digitalisation.

Patrizia Clemeno, from Ferrara’s Tourism Office, presented another best practice: the use of digital tools like podcasts to make cultural heritage more engaging and widely accessible (more on the podcast here).

Finally, Cristina Ambrosini, Head of the Cultural Heritage Sector of the Emilia-Romagna Region, an associated partner of JEWELS TOUR, introduced the various funding opportunities offered by the Region. This aimed to provide a strategic framework to support the project proposal that the Municipality of Ferrara, in collaboration with local stakeholders, plans to develop—addressing local needs for cultural heritage valorisation.

The meeting concluded with the official launch of the call for ideas for a project proposal to be coordinated by the Municipality of Ferrara, with the support of Bam Strategie Culturali. This upcoming proposal will aim to enhance local cultural heritage through various strategic approaches, including: