Vilnius University Hosts a Conference Marking the Centenary of the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research – ‘YIVO in Vilnius and the World’

On 19–21 October, Vilnius University and Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania are hosting the conference ‘YIVO in Vilnius and the World’, dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research (Yidisher visnshaftlekher institut, YIVO).

Founded in Vilnius in 1925, YIVO became the world’s leading centre for Yiddish culture, research, and education. It was one of the most significant Jewish cultural institutions – the first secular research institute for East European Jewish culture – where the Yiddish language was standardised, young scholars were trained, and an extensive library and archive were established. As Jewish diaspora activists across Eastern Europe nurtured and promoted their culture in the countries where they lived, a new movement emerged, giving rise to a network of innovative cultural institutions. The initiative to save part of YIVO’s collections during the Holocaust and transfer them to New York was no less monumental an achievement. Today, YIVO continues its activities in New York but remains a symbol of the rich heritage of the Jewish community in Vilnius.

The Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania has declared 2025 the Year of the 100th Anniversary of the Establishment of YIVO. To mark this occasion, the conference will feature presentations by scholars from Lithuania, Poland, the United States, Argentina, Germany, and Israel. The event marking this significant anniversary will bring together researchers from around the world to discuss YIVO’s contribution to Jewish research, culture, and heritage, as well as its significance for contemporary Jewish studies.

The conference programme can be found here.