The synagogue in Levice should become a part of the Slovak Jewish Heritage Route. The synagogue in this western-Slovak town could thus officially join other important monuments of Jewish culture which are united via the project, which aims to promote them and fully integrate them into the cultural and tourist offering of Slovakia.
Currently, the proposal is being negotiated by representatives of Levice and the Slovak Jewish Heritage Center, an NGO focused on Jewish culture in Slovakia which manages the route. The Slovak Jewish Heritage Route currently comprises 34 Jewish monuments, including synagogues, museums and cemeteries, the TASR newswire wrote. Only a monument which is used for religious, cultural or educational purposes in a dignified way can become a partner of the project. The Slovak Jewish Heritage Route is a member of a much larger international project, the European Jewish Heritage Route.
The reconstructed Jewish synagogue in Levice has served as a cultural and artistic centre for the town since April this year. The Romanesque-Classicist structure was built in 1883 and replaced an earlier dating from the middle of 19th century. Two years ago, Levice received a subsidy from EU funds to renovate the synagogue, thanks to which the building was reconstructed. Total costs amounted to €1.6 million, of which 85 percent came from the European Union, 10 percent from the state budget and five percent from the municipality. After reconstruction, the synagogue became a multi-functional cultural facility providing space for various concerts, exhibitions and small theatre performances.
