Jewish people have lived in Corfu at least since 1160. They came from the Balkan peninsula, from Romaniote communities. After the expulsion of the Jews from Spain and Portugal, some settled in Corfu. During the Venetian period, the Jewish community produced and exported cotton, salt, wine, olive oil, etrogs, silk and gold fabric and works of art. They experienced together with the Corfiots all the wars and occupations, they were persecuted during the Second World War, but those who survived returned to live peacefully in Corfu. Characteristic (and at the same time remarkable) is the answer of the famous writer Albert Cohen to a question put to him by a French journalist as to which was his homeland: Israel, Greece, France or Switzerland. Je suis Corfiot (I am Corfiot), he said. This echoes the sentiments of Kapodistrias, who had written in a letter 200 years ago that he would not exchange his tomb in Corfu for all the riches in the world.
Shir HaShirim
Synagogue at 19:00
Performance of the Solomon’s “Song of the Songs”
Artistic director: Petros Gallias
In the Jewish Quarter
Pergola Tavern at 21:00
Traditional cuisine and music of the Jewish community.
