“Vilnius is not a city—it’s an idea.”
— Jakub Ze’ev Lacki-Bertoldi
In Jewish tradition, Vilnius is known in Yiddish as Vilne, or as many affectionately called it: the Jerusalem of Lithuania. This name wasn’t given by chance. It reflects not only the once-thriving network of synagogues, but also the vibrant intellectual spirit that defined the city for centuries—a spirit shaped in part by the legendary sage Elijah ben Solomon Zalman, better known as the Vilna Gaon.
It was in this unique atmosphere that the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research was founded in 1925. Dedicated to the study and preservation of Yiddish language, Jewish culture, history, and everyday life across the world, YIVO became a symbol of intellectual ambition and cultural renewal.
Operating in Vilnius until 1941, YIVO stood not only as a testament to the city’s rich Jewish cultural and scholarly life—it also embodied the drive of a local community determined to craft a modern, secular Jewish identity. At its heart was Yiddish culture: a bridge between tradition and innovation, memory and future.
This exhibition, marking the 100th anniversary of YIVO’s founding, invites you to step into interwar Vilnius—a city where ideas sparked movements, where multiple cultures coexisted, and where the pulse of Jewish life was deeply felt. Meet the people who shaped YIVO, explore their hopes and dreams, and experience the rhythm of a city like no other.
The exhibition is on view at the Museum of Culture and Identity of Lithuanian Jews
Pylimo g. 4A, Vilnius.
