20.11.2024

New publication "The Central Synagogue of Sofia" by Fani Gargova

With “The Central Synagogue of Sofia: Westernization, Urban Change, and Religious Reform”, Fani Gargova's dissertation on the Central Synagogue of Sofia has now been published by Böhlau Verlag Köln as volume 018 of "Das östliche Europa: Kunst- und Kulturgeschichte".
The Synagogue was built between 1905 and 1909 as a monumental structure in the social, commercial, and religious center of the Bulgarian capital. Having survived the Second World War, it remains a testament to early 20th century Sofia and its majority Sephardic Jewish community.


"In this first in-depth study of the building, Fani Gargova illuminates the history of the Central Synagogue of Sofia and the motivations behind its construction by positioning its appearance and architecture vis-à-vis Central European Reform synagogues and the emerging Bulgarian national style. By looking at the building through the lens of urban planning, building material and technique, liturgy, as well as musical performance, this book significantly expands the common notion of synagogue architecture," states the publisher on it's website.

Fani Gargova has been a research associate at the IEG since September 2024 and is researching the synagogue as a sound space.