About this talk

St. Petersburg, which was the capital of the Russian Empire for 200 years, is known for its unique beauty and rich cultural heritage. Museums, palaces, bridges, squares, as well as classical and modern architecture, can be found throughout the city. It's my privilege to share the charm of my city with you; together, we will explore St. Petersburg through a Jewish lens.

We will learn about the Jewish history and heritage in St. Petersburg, including the 'maskilim'—enlightened, educated Jews who led the community in the 19th century. We will explore the role of Jews in the Russian Revolutionary events of 1917 and discuss the experiences of Soviet Jews. We will learn about some well-known refuseniks and witness the miraculous changes and rebirth of Jewish life in St. Petersburg after the fall of the USSR. While guiding you through the city with images, I will also share my own family's story to illustrate both the history and the contemporary life of our Jewish community.

If you have never been to St. Petersburg, this tour will give you a good taste of what the city is like. If you have already visited, this tour will offer you a fresh perspective, highlighting its Jewish heritage in a new and unusual way

About Evgenia

Evgenia Kempinski is a Russian Jew born and raised in St. Petersburg. Her family traces its roots to the historic Pale of Settlement, spanning present-day Poland, Ukraine, and Belarus. With more than 20 years of experience as a tour guide, Evgenia is the founder and owner of St. Petersburg Jewish Tours, a company dedicated to creating meaningful travel experiences for Jewish travelers. Her tours highlight the rich history and culture of the former Soviet Union, Scandinavia and more, through a distinctively Jewish lens. Although she no longer resides in Russia, Evgenia continues to lead virtual tours across a wide range of countries and topics, offering in-depth explorations from a Jewish perspective. Today, she is based in Barcelona, Spain, where she conducts both Jewish-themed and general interest tours in person.