Indianapolis – This weekend the Heartland Film Festival welcomes concert pianist and author Mona Golabek to the city for a special program that blends film and live performance. Golabek will screen her documentary Hold on To Your Music: A Mother’s Legacy and then perform her mother’s repertoire at the Indy Art Center’s Frank Basile Theater.
From Vienna to Indianapolis
The film chronicles the remarkable journey of Golabek’s mother, Lisa Jura, a young Jewish pianist who escaped Nazi‑occupied Vienna at age 14 aboard the Kindertransport, a rescue effort that saved thousands of Jewish children. Jura’s love of music became a lifeline during the harrowing trek to England, and she carried that passion with her for the rest of her life.
“She always said that each piece of music tells a story,” Golabek explains, noting how her mother’s experience shaped both her own career and the documentary’s narrative.
Music as a Bridge Across Generations
Golabek’s performance will feature selections that her mother cherished, offering Hoosier audiences a chance to hear the very pieces that sustained Jura’s hope during the darkest days of the Holocaust. “The music will tell the story of the journey she took,” Golabek says, emphasizing that the concert is as much a tribute as it is an educational moment.
Since its debut, the documentary has traveled to audiences in China, Austria, and across the United States, receiving praise for its intimate portrayal of resilience and the power of art. Indianapolis now becomes another stop on that global tour.
Inspiring Hope and Dreams
Beyond preserving her mother’s memory, Golabek hopes the event will inspire attendees to pursue their own aspirations or help others achieve theirs. “I’m just a messenger going out and telling a story that was passed on from my grandmother to my mother to me,” she says.
The screening and concert are scheduled for Sunday at the Indy Art Center, providing a family‑friendly cultural experience that aligns with the city’s vibrant arts scene. Tickets are available through the Heartland Film Festival website.
Community Impact
Local residents will have the rare opportunity to engage with a story that intertwines history, music, and personal courage—an example of how Indianapolis continues to host events that enrich the community’s cultural fabric while honoring the legacy of those who survived unimaginable hardship.
Original reporting: 93.1 WIBC (Indianapolis) — read the source article.
