"Love That Takes Root"
The motto of the European Days of Jewish Culture 2026 – "Love" – inspires us to look at the history of the Częstochowa Jewish community from a different perspective: not through the lens of tragedy, but of life. We want to tell the story of people who loved their families, their city, their culture, and their traditions. People who, over generations, helped build Częstochowa, leaving behind a heritage that continues to enrich us today.
For centuries, Częstochowa was a meeting point for diverse cultures and religions. The Jewish community played a significant role in the city's development, contributing to its economic, social, and cultural life. Today, the memory of this heritage is preserved through the work of The World Society of Częstochowa Jews, which was led for many years by Zygmunt Rolat, an Honorary Citizen of Częstochowa. On his initiative, key landmarks were established, including the Museum of Częstochowa Jews and the Trail of the History and Culture of the Jewish Community – places that serve as reminders of the centuries-long presence of Jews in Częstochowa and their contribution to its growth.
The project proposed by Częstochowa is part of the official program of the European Days of Jewish Culture 2026. It aims to bring the rich Jewish heritage of Częstochowa closer to residents and visitors through a narrative centered on relationships, values, and daily life. We wish to show that remembering the past is not solely about commemorating tragic events, but also about acknowledging what built the community over the years: family, neighborhood, work, artistic creation, mutual respect, and a shared responsibility for the place one calls home.
Key Project Elements
The central point of the project will be an approximately three-hour educational and interpretive walking tour through the Old Town, led by a licensed tour guide, a staff member of the Częstochowa Museum, or a local expert specializing in the history of the Jewish community.
The walking tour will tell a story about the various faces of love. Participants will discover the lives of people who loved their families, engaged in the civic life of the city, developed businesses, created art, carried out social initiatives, and passed down their traditions to subsequent generations. It was precisely from these everyday stories that Częstochowa’s multicultural identity was forged.
The narrative will revolve around the concept that love expresses itself through care. Just as a gardener patiently nurtures a tree so that it may grow and bear fruit, every community cares for its heritage, memory, and the values passed on to future generations. What we care for thrives and remains with us longer.

During the tour, the guide will draw upon the symbolism of the tree as a universal sign of life and continuity:

The roots will serve as a metaphor for history and identity.

The trunk will symbolize the strength of a community built across generations.

The canopy will represent openness, dialogue, and a meeting place for people of different cultures.

Through this narrative, participants will view the history of Częstochowa not merely as a collection of facts, but as a story of people and values that can still inspire contemporary society.

Living Symbolism and Memory
The culmination of the walking tour will be a gathering at Samuel Willenberg Square by newly planted trees. Globe Norway Maples (Acer platanoides 'Globosum') were selected for the planting, referencing the original landscaping concept around the Monument to the Victims of the Częstochowa Ghetto designed by Samuel Willenberg and realized on the initiative of Zygmunt Rolat.

The newly planted trees will serve as a living symbol of the European Days of Jewish Culture 2026. Unlike traditional forms of commemoration, they will grow alongside the city and its residents. Their roots will recall a history deeply embedded in Częstochowa, their trunks will embody the enduring nature of the community, and their expanding canopies will represent dialogue, openness, and mutual respect.

At the conclusion of the walk, the guide will invite participants to reflect on how memory – much like a tree – does not endure on its own; it requires care, cultivation, and responsibility. Every generation thus becomes a gardener of memory, deciding whether shared heritage remains alive and present in the urban space.

The event will be documented by a photographer. The resulting photo reportage will be used to promote the European Days of Jewish Culture, popularize Częstochowa's Jewish heritage, and be featured across social media platforms and partners' websites.

Impact and Legacy
The lasting impact of the project will include both the new plantings at Samuel Willenberg Square and a heightened awareness among residents regarding the city's multicultural history.

The patron of the square, born in Częstochowa, was an escapee from the Treblinka extermination camp, a soldier of the Home Army, a participant in the Warsaw Uprising, and a hero bridging the histories of Poland and Israel. He was the designer of the ghetto victims' memorial located at the site. Choosing a square named in his honor pays tribute to a remarkable artist and survivor for whom Częstochowa was home, creating a space dedicated to dialogue and remembrance.

The project will encourage visits to the Museum of Częstochowa Jews and the Trail of the History and Culture of the Jewish Community, while showcasing Częstochowa as a city actively participating in the European dialogue to protect and promote shared cultural heritage.

Ultimately, the project serves as a reminder that love is not merely a feeling. It is care for another human being, responsibility for a shared heritage, and a willingness to leave behind something that will serve future generations. Just as a tree needs time to take root and grow, memory requires our daily care. In doing so, it can endure, flourish, and unite people across boundaries of time, cultures, and generations.

Project Implementation
The project will be implemented by the Częstochowa Tourist Organization, acting as the Lead Partner. The Organization will be responsible for the coordination and implementation of the initiative, including management, settlement of the grant received, budget oversight, preparation of reporting, and cooperation with partners and institutions involved in carrying out the project.