Commemorative plaque to mark the site of former YIVO HQ unveiled in Vilnius
On June 20, commemorative plaque to mark the site of former YIVO HQ unveiled in Vilnius. YIVO center was located at the building near A. Vivulskio Street No. 18 in Vilnius from 1925 to 1940.
A Jewish linguist Max Weinreich was of the initiators of the most significant center for the study of Jewish culture and history in Eastern Europe. World War II and the Holocaust forced YIVO’s relocation to New York in 1940.
Minister L. Linkevičius said: "As a token of our respect, the memorial plaque will be found on the building that is very important to the Jewish people all over the world. Many well-known Jewish scholars have lived and worked here. Unfortunately, neither the building nor the people are here today. However, a greater part of YIVO's valuable collection has survived. We are glad that the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research has continued its work in New York since 1940. YIVO's merits and contribution to studying and preserving the Jewish heritage and the heritage of our multinational society are invaluable”.
Foreign Minister Linas Linkevičius, Minister of Culture Mindaugas Kvietkauskas, Mayor of Vilnius Remigijus Šimašius, Representative of the Lithuanian Jewish Community, YIVO director Jonathan Brent and YIVO board of directors’ deputy chairwoman Irene Pletka participated in the ceremony.
Social media
