In 2024, at the invitation of the organizers of the “Forgatag” event in Târgu Mureș, we held for the first time the event titled “Jewish-Armenian Gastronomic and Cultural Fusion,” the first of its kind in the cultural life of the city. Why with the Armenians? Because both communities were present in the city’s historical past, and both are now facing the decrease in their numbers—an issue that is highly relevant when reconstructing the history of a Transylvanian city. It was a fitting opportunity for reflection.

Following the success of this experiment, we decided together with the Armenian Cultural Association of Târgu Mureș to repeat the cultural fusion this year, on August 29, between 12:00 and 16:00, naturally building on the experience of the first edition.

Together with Professor Attila Puskás, president of the Armenian Cultural Association, we created a program in which both parties contributed engaging themes: thus, the synagogue on Aurel Filimon Street hosted two presentations. Dr. Attila Puskás delivered a video lecture about the buildings erected by traders and leaders of the Armenian community in Târgu Mureș in the past, with documented presence since the 17th century: Csiki Emil, originally from Erzsébetváros (Sibiu County), the house formerly on the site of today’s Eldi department store, the Duducz House, and other emblematic buildings of the city, whose names have been preserved in its urban memory.

In response, our community invited the sculptor Vincze Bocskay from Sovata, a well-known figure in Transylvanian fine arts, who presented his works through slides, accompanied by his explanations and reflections. It is no coincidence that our Jewish community considers the artist a special friend: in 2018, at the initiative of the community and some former residents of Târgu Mureș who had moved to Israel, Bocskay erected a monument to the victims of the ghetto on the campus of today’s Cantemir University.

On the culinary side, which was equally well-balanced, the Jewish community offered traditional kosher cholent, cooked for 12 hours and prepared by Mr. Dezső Rosenberg, who even revealed (some) secrets of the recipe to the audience. In fact, those who arrived late could not taste any of the approximately 140 portions, as they had already been served. The Armenian chefs repeated last year’s menu, offering angadjabur soup and dalauzi cake to the guests. Their pots also emptied completely, which is why we consider the original gastronomic “competition” to have ended in a draw.

At the same time, both communities also displayed handicrafts, decorative magnets, and their own publications. Particularly noteworthy was the art exhibition of the History Museum and the Andreas Pollak Collection, whose works with Jewish themes had been donated to the Jewish community in 2023 by Monica Pollak-Pokorny, wife of Jewish native of Reghin, Andreas Pollak, from Germany.

The weather was favorable, the activities took place in the community’s picturesque courtyard under the shade of a huge walnut tree, and above all, the exceptional participation of the people of Târgu Mureș (more than 300 attendees of all ages) clearly demonstrated that this path—fostering diversity and dialogue—truly attracts the city’s inhabitants. In this way, the synagogue on Aurel Filimon Street (which is awaiting renovation) can rightfully function both as a house of prayer for the Jewish community and as a cultural landmark of Târgu Mureș.

Dub Vasile

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photo Nagy Albert