The Jewish Museum in Lisbon is called Tikva, which is Hebrew for ‘hope’. Studio Libeskind‘s project is led by Daniel Libeksind in partnership with local architect Miguel Saraiva.
Tikva Jewish Museum Lisbon’s geometric structure is being constructed in Lisbon’s Belém area, with views of the 16th-century Tower of Belém and Tagus river.
The museum is a collaboration between Lisbon City Hall (CML) and non-profit organisation Association Hagadá. It will explore the Portuguese Jewish community and its contribution to the history of Lisbon.
Tikva Jewish Museum will include “pieces from national and international museums and institutions, including artworks by contemporary artists from Portugal and abroad”, according to the website.
Jewish Museum Lisbon called ‘Tikva’
“At the same time it is to be a project that looks forward, celebrating religious tolerance and cultural difference,” Studio Libeskind told Dezeen.
The destination was originally going to be built in the Alfama neighbourhood of Lisbon, until Association Hagadá was given a 50-year renewable lease on a site in Belém with a license to construct a museum (via Architectural Record).
Tikva Jewish Museum Lisbon will feature permanent and temporary exhibition spaces, as well as an auditorium and research and educational facilities. The permanent exhibition will focus on Jewish culture, traditions and history.
“The museum will tell a unique story of almost two thousand years of longevity and plurality of cultures that give Portuguese Judaism a peculiar and very rich character,” said Esther Mucznik, president of Association Hagadá.
Tikva located in Belém area of Lisbon
“It is this history and this memory that the museum, with its bold and innovative project, will make known to the national and foreign public.”
Studio Libeskind has designed many similar museums, including San Francisco’s Contemporary Jewish Museum, the Jewish Museum Berlin and the Danish Jewish Museum in Copenhagen.
Tel Aviv’s Jewish museum reopened earlier this year as the rebranded ANU, after more than a decade of renovations totalling $100 million.
“Everyone walking in here needs to see themselves regardless of gender, denomination, ethnic background,” said Dan Tadmor, CEO of ANU – Museum of the Jewish People.
Images: Studio Libeskind/Tikva
