Kent Ranum: JKFest is a prime example of transparency efforts
Mayor Kent Ranum called JKFest a shining example of openness and inclusion. “The festival reminds us of the value of community and is a necessary response to rising anti-Semitism,” he said during the opening.
photo and text: Martin Farstad Borg
A festival that opens doors
For Ranum, the festival is about much more than music, lectures and food experiences.
“A cultural festival like this is a festival to come and eat good food and meet nice people. But above all, it is a festival to open doors. A house without drafts becomes stuffy, and then it becomes sick. The festival shows us the value of letting the light in – of valuing diversity, and that no matter who you are, you are an equal part of society.”
A necessary response to rising anti-Semitism
The mayor pointed out that the festival's work had a particular significance in our time.
"We see examples around us now where anti-Semitism is increasing, and we are on a completely wrong path. Then opening the door like the synagogue and the Jewish minority are doing during the Cultural Festival is crucial. Openness and inclusion – that is the recipe for fighting hatred and prejudice."
Building attitudes and values
For Ranum, the festival was not just a cultural event, but a place where values were conveyed in practice.
"Building attitudes and creating values in the form of information and awareness is incredibly important, especially in the society we are in now. Norway is completely dependent on us supporting each other and backing each other, so it should be safe to be the new one in Trondheim."
Community and learning
The mayor highlighted how the festival invited both the majority and minority to learn from each other.
"The goal of the entire cultural festival is to celebrate the Jewish community in Trondheim and at the same time the diversity in our city. It's about getting people to meet, understand each other and remove prejudices. Then we create a city where it's good to be – for everyone."
A prime example of the way forward
In conclusion, Ranum highlighted the festival's role as a role model.
"Openness and inclusion are the recipe for the right path to take. In this respect, the Jewish Cultural Festival is a shining example – and a good example of how we can combat prejudice and polarization."
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