The OFEK (Community Festival of the Jewish Book) has been held in Ust-Kamenogorsk city on 23-25 of August. In the countries of dispersion where the Jews live, traditional book fairs, meetings with writers, concerts, readings and literary soiree are conducted in August and September. It is pleasant to understand that the holiday we have organized is a part of International festival.

  The OFEK was opened by Alexander and Lyudmila Levitanuses' recital. The hall of the House of Friendship was full. There were not only members of the Jewish community, relatives and friends of the musicians, but also all admirers of Levitanuses' music. Nice voices and cordiality won the affection of audience. Alexander and Lyudmila were literary swamped with flowers; the guests did not want to let them go. Levitanuses' recital "Love Hymn" turned the beginning of the festival to an unforgettable event.

  The second day of the OFEK ran in the Central State E. Slavski Library. There was an exhibition of Jewish symbols, religious articles, rare books, old photos, and personal things. The library staff prepared an exposition "Jewish Writers in The World Literature" specially for the OFEK.

  Besides, there was a conference "From the History of Jews in Eastern Kazakhstan". The senior staff scientist of the Regional Ethnographic Museum Nina Vladimirovna Krutova presented a very interesting report. Her research based on source documents was called "Back to the Source". Nina Krupnova's assistants-volunteers have been gathering necessary material in archives for several months… Next presentation was devoted to the "Strategic Analysis of the Jewish Community in the Eastern Kazakhstan since 1926 till 1999". It was prepared by the candidate of historical science, senior lecturer of the Eastern Kazakhstani State University Raisa Samuilovna Fyodorova. All materials of the conference will be included into the next issue of "From the History of Jews in Kazakhstan" book.

  The finish of the OFEK became a real event for the whole city. It was held in the Regional Dramatic Zhambyl Theatre. The hall of the theatre was given to the book exhibition "The People of the Book in the World of the Book". It presented new books in the community library, Jewish symbols, the latest newspapers and magazines.

  The Jewish "Seven Forty" theatre (the laureate of the First International Festival of Jewish dramatic theatres held in Moscow in 2002) played on that stage for the first time; it performed a staging of "A Slice Severed from the Loaf" play by St. Petersburg playwright Igor Shprits's. The "Seven Forty" troupe is in good relations with the author of the play. Igor Shprits sent some of his works specially for the troupe.

  Captivating plot, topical theme, stage manager's unique achievements - all that brought the performance success. "A Severed Branch" play written with amazing humor and vividly staged is interesting not only for Jewish audience. The staging was highly estimated by the guests of the festival. After the performance the head and stage manager of the theatre Vladimir Lebedev shared wonderful news - "Seven Forty" theatre was invited on a tour round Kazakhstani cities.

  The OFEK has finished. It is significant that the holiday became an outstanding event in cultural life of the city. It promoted demonstration of scientific and creative potential of the community, and the main thing is that it helped all the Jews living there to unite. Ust-Kamenogorsk has said good-bye to the OFEK till the next year!

Tamara Sattarova