Kevin Buckland

 

Remembrance Ceremony: HONOURING OUR ANCESTORS.

Ceremony initiated and facilitated by Yad Miriam, held on September 29th, 2024, at the Ancient Jewish Cemetery, Montjuïc, Barcelona.

Collages: Kevin Buckland

Analogue Film Photography: Emmanuel Maor

Video Photography and editing: José Cruañas

In Search of Finding Nothing. Play written based on Talmudic studies on what is and is not permitted inside a cemetery, extrapolating glimpses of some of the philosophic ideas behind the talmudic text. Written as part of the Ze Kollel project, performed at the LABA Live 2024 for the first time.

Cast: Adam Gertsacov, Akira Newton.

 

For his LABA project, Kevin Buckland continues to use art, ceremony and study to raise awareness and new imaginaries around the forgotten medieval jewish cemetery on MontJuïc in Barcelona.

During the High Holidays it is a tradition to visit the cemeteries to honour our ancestors. For some years now, as a collective we have also been visiting the old Montjuïc cemetery where, at first glance, there are no visible traces.

In 2009 it was declared a Cultural Asset of National Interest, and it lacks meaning.
That is why we gathered in this plot to renew our commitment to the principle of Kvod HaMet: “to offer the deceased proper respect and honour”, an age-old tradition that had been interrupted after 1391, when anti-Jewish attacks resulted in the disappearance of the community.

We know that under our feet, under bushes and roots, lie members of our extended Jewish family. And with our action, we reweave the soul of the place with the landscape that has naturally arisen.

The event began with a brief explanation of the site’s history, followed by ritual prayers, chants, and the reading of names from gravestones found in past excavations.

Miriam, who died in Kislev 4990 (1229 CE), was especially remembered; her tombstone was the only one unearthed during a 2001 archaeological campaign.

The ceremony concluded with a Chavruta (study) session, inviting reflection and discussion around the concept of the Kadish.

 

A project by YAD MIRIAM:

  • Kevin Buckland, ARTivist and promoter of the Yad Miriam initiative, dedicated to creating a dynamic of memory in the former Jewish cemetery.
  • Dominique Tomasov Blinder, architect and advocate for the study, protection, and dissemination of Jewish heritage since 1999.