The YIVO Institute for Jewish Research, established in 1925 in Vilnius, Lithuania, and continuing its work in New York today, commemorates its 100th anniversary on March 24th this year. Its founding purpose was to document and study Jewish life in all its aspects, with a special focus on the Jews of Eastern Europe.
“For 100 years, YIVO has preserved the legacy of one thousand years of Ashkenazi Jewish life. Today, it is the worldwide home of Eastern European Jewish history and culture. YIVO’s collections, programming, and educational initiatives tell the story of what we have cherished, what we have endured, and how we have persisted. It is the story from which the future of the Jewish people will be built,” said Jonathan Brent, YIVO’s Executive Director and CEO.
The centennial celebration is marked by various year-round cultural exhibitions, lectures, and events in Vilnius, a city of special importance for Jewish culture–once known as the ‘Jerusalem of the North’ for its significant role in shaping the education and daily life of Eastern European Jews.
Vilnius is considered home to the Jewish community that played a significant role in shaping the culture, education, religion, and daily life of Eastern European Jews for hundreds of years. Their contribution was marked in 1925 when Jewish intellectuals and scholars established the YIVO Institute. It was the first comprehensive center for higher Jewish learning in the region, serving as a national library, university, and academy.
YIVO quickly became the preeminent authority on Yiddish culture, language, and Jewish scholarship, growing into a mass movement with branches worldwide, from Buenos Aires to Shanghai.
Since 1933, YIVO operated on Vivulskio Street in Vilnius center, where you can still see its memorial plaque. Until today, Vilnius has preserved its Jewish cultural heritage, visible not only in museum and expositions but also in living objects, such as Vilnius Choral Synagogue, Jewish Community Center and Litvak restaurants, such as Baleboste.
Exhibition of traditional Jewish art heritage
The exhibition at the Vilnius Picture Gallery, part of the Lithuanian National Museum of Art, titled “You Shall Not Make an Image: Commandments, Daily Life, and Change,” highlights the heritage of traditional Jewish art and explores the interconnectedness of coexisting cultures within the artistic space. It also serves to preserve and promote knowledge of Litvak culture and history. The exhibition is currently open and will run until September 14th.
Exhibition: “YIVO Centennial: Origins, Journey, Legacy”
“YIVO Centennial: Origins, Journey, Legacy” at the Judaica Research Center at the National Martynas Mažvydas Library (Sept-Nov) will explore the highlights of YIVO’s 100-year existence: how it was started, what challenges it faced in the past, and what legacy the institute is leaving behind.
Exhibition: “YIVO: History and Stories”
“YIVO: History and Stories” at the Museum of Culture and Identity of Lithuanian Jews at the Vilna Gaon Museum of Jewish History (May-Dec) will be about the rich history of YIVO and its main stories that more people need to hear.
Jewish Books from Prof. D. Katz’s Collection
“Jewish Books from Prof. D. Katz’s Collection: Street Displays” at the Jewish Culture and Information Center (May-Nov) will review and discuss the legacy of Prof. D. Katz, an American-born and Vilnius-based author.
Lectures about YIVO and the Jewish life
Additionally, from April to December, a series of public lectures will be held by the Judaica Research Center at the National Martynas Mažvydas Library.
The first lecture, taking place in May-June and titled as “YIVO Section: Wherever There Is Jewish Life–Global Jewish History from Vilne to the World, 1925–1975” will thoroughly discuss half a century of Jewish life, starting from the year when YIVO was established in Vilnius.
In August, a lecture “YIVO in Buenos Aires: Commemorating the Berlin Conference of August 7–12, 1925” will recall the main aspects from the Berlin Conference, the formal founding of the Institute.
Moreover, a panel on Jewish Autobiographies Collected by YIVO (Sept) will showcase the stories of the main Jewish personalities.
Two more lectures titled “YIVO and the Vilna Community” (Oct) and “YIVO and Independent Lithuania” (Nov) will analyze YIVO’s input and position in Lithuania’s history.
Seminars and conferences
Starting from mid-spring, there will be various seminars and conferences happening which will highlight the main moments from the Jewish life.
In mid-April, a traditional seminar “The Faces of Jewish Literature” will invite everyone interested to dive into rich and historically deep Jewish literature. In December, the translated monograph by Cecile Kuznitz, an associate professor and director of Jewish studies at Bard College, will be discussed in a special presentation “YIVO and the Making of Modern Jewish Culture.” YIVO centennial will be highlighted during the “YIVO and the City” conference at Vilnius University (October 21-22).
For the latest information on YIVO’s Centennial activities, visit https://yivo.org/
