To mark the Year of Jewish Culture, the Kügelgenhaus - Museum of Dresden Romanticism is showing an exhibition about the von Kaskel family, who had a strong influence on Dresden's economy as well as its artistic and cultural life, especially in the 19th century. The members of the banking dynasty were not only successful entrepreneurs, but also loved and promoted music. Carl Freiherr von Kaskel and his grandson Karl composed, while his sister Sophie Gräfin von Baudissin published literature for young people and piano works. The life and work of this forgotten Dresden family of Jewish origin are presented.
As part of "TACHELES - Year of Jewish Culture in Saxony 2026"
In cooperation with the Sächsischer Musikverein e. V. and Hatikva e. V.
Supported by the Cultural Foundation of the Free State of Saxony
Exhibition dates
Guided tour of the New Jewish Cemetery
On the Year of Jewish Culture
During the 19th and 20th centuries, Jews in Dresden played a significant role in shaping the city’s development, until this fruitful period was brought to an end by the Nazis. Despite severe damage caused by the bombing raid in 1945, many magnificent graves have been preserved in this cemetery, bearing witness to families who were particularly committed to this city up until 1933. They shaped their home town culturally, intellectually and economically over many decades. On this tour, we will follow these stories – including those of the Arnhold, Klemperer, Gutmann and Joachimsthal families, amongst many others.
An event organised by the Saxon Music Society in cooperation with Hatikva e. V.
- Meeting point:
New Jewish Cemetery
Fiedlerstraße 3
01307 Dresden
This initiative is co-funded by tax revenue on the basis of the budget adopted by the Saxon State Parliament.
Paul Aron – a Jewish musician and Dresden concert organiser
The year of Jewish culture
the versatile composer and conductor Paul Aron was born in Dresden in 1886. He studied with Max Reger and initiated the music series "Neue Musik Paul Aron" in Dresden. in 1933, he first fled to Czechoslovakia and later to Cuba and the USA, where he died. Prof Dr Matthias Herrmann presents the life and work of the composer.
- With Prof Dr Matthias Herrmann (lecture)
- Admission: €10 / reduced €8
- Please book in good time online or by calling the Visitor Service of the Museums of the City of Dresden on 0351 488 7272 (Mon - Fri).
- In co-operation with the Sächsischer Musikverein e. V.
The fist was an open hand with five fingers
Poetry evening to mark the Year of Jewish Culture
Yehuda Amichai (1924–2000) is regarded as one of the great Hebrew poets of the 20th century. His poems deal with love, loss, war and an unshakeable faith in humanity.
With *‘The Fist Was an Open Hand with Five Fingers’*, his daughter Emanuella Amichai, the actor and director Bernhard Stengele, and Robert Herrmann now bring a powerful dialogue between Israel and Germany to the stage. Together, they combine poetry, music and personal narrative to create a rich artistic experience.
Amichai’s original Hebrew texts are juxtaposed with Bernhard Stengele’s German interpretation, thus bridging the gap between past and present, between memory and responsibility. Robert Herrmann accompanies the evening with improvised piano playing, creating a musical space in which Amichai’s poetry takes on a new sound.
- Admission: €15 / concessions €13
- Please book in good time online or by telephone via the visitor service of the Dresden City Museums on 0351 488 7272 (Mon–Fri).
Carl Maria von Weber's relationship to Judaism in the field of tension between prejudice and enlightenment
The year of Jewish culture
Anti-Semitism was widespread in the 19th century. Some musicians and artists also made public anti-Semitic statements - most notably Richard Wagner. The fact that Carl Maria von Weber and his family were also anti-Semitic is particularly evident in Weber's strained relationship with his publisher Schlesinger. Prof Dr Schmuhl examines the sources on this topic for the first time.
- With Prof Dr Hans-Walter Schmuhl (lecture)
- Admission: €10 / reduced €8
- Please book in good time online or by calling the Visitor Service of the Museums of the City of Dresden on 0351 488 7272 (Mon - Fri).
- In co-operation with the Sächsischer Musikverein e. V.