The project «In the footsteps of the Hasidic lad: an audio walk through Jerusalymka in Vinnytsia» aims to preserve Vinnytsia’s cultural heritage by researching and promoting the former densely populated Jewish quarter of Jerusalymka. The audio recordings are based on excerpts from the works of Isaac Joel Linetzky, a native of Vinnytsia and a notable figure in Yiddish literature, including his satirical novel «The Hasidic Lad» and songs from the collection «The Angry Jester». These sources vividly recreate life in Vinnytsia and its surroundings during the 19th century.
The walk consists of seven stops, offering participants the opportunity to see, hear, and experience. Each stop features engravings by the renowned painter and graphic artist Vasyl Silvestrov, which reconstruct the architecture of the area as it once was, since much of the neighborhood was destroyed during the first half of the 20th century. Participants will also hear stories, music, and sounds of 19th-century Jerusalymka, recorded directly on site.
The project allows visitors to experience the atmosphere of life in Jerusalymka during the 19th and 20th centuries and highlights its influence on the development of Vinnytsia. By combining historical research with modern immersive methods, it enables visitors to form cultural and spatial connections, bringing the city’s historical heritage to life within the urban environment.
The project was implemented by the Department of City Marketing and Tourism of Vinnytsia City Council, with the support of the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation.
