Premiering at the 8th annual FestivALT in Kraków, Poland on June 30 and July 2, 2024, Holy Names for Our Dybbuk represents the culmination of Jewish-American artist Julie Weitz’s extensive research during her tenure as a U.S. Fulbright Scholar. Centered on revitalizing Yiddish folklore in Poland, Weitz employs collaborative performance strategies that intricately weave together Yiddish dance, song, mask, and storytelling at sites of Jewish memory.
In Yiddish folklore, the “dybbuk” is a wandering spirit that clings to a living body to communicate messages from the dead. Traditionally, a group of healers would loosen the spirit’s grip on the host body through a combination of interviews, prayers, and rhythmic chanting, culminating in a profound public demonstration of collective transmutation.
𝙃𝙤𝙡𝙮 𝙉𝙖𝙢𝙚𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙊𝙪𝙧 𝘿𝙮𝙗𝙗𝙪𝙠 takes inspiration from the rich cultural history of the dybbuk in Poland and the Ashkenazi shamans, known as “ba’alei shem” (masters of the name), who once traveled across Eastern Europe using the numerous Hebrew names for the divine in healing rituals.
Created by Weitz with Polish choreographer Magdalena Przybysz the performance features Weitz as the dybbuk and an ensemble of Polish dancers as the healers. The project is the culmination of Weitz’s extensive research during her tenure as a U.S. Fulbright Scholar. Performers include Barbara Kardyś, Magda Niedzielska, Michał Przybyła, Joanna Szyszkowska, Katarzyna Żeglicka.
June 30, 17:00
July 2, 19:30
At the area of the former German Nazi Labour and Concentration Camp Plaszow, Jerozolimska 3 Street
Instagram: @MyGolem_is_here
