- February 8, 2025
- 10:21 am
- Ukraine
Ukraine revives Jewish culture. In Kyiv, translations from Yiddish were presented—iconic texts that were previously inaccessible to a wide audience. Read more on Nanovo.
Translations from Yiddish to Ukrainian: Signed books that will change attitudes towards Jewish heritage
On 6 February 2025 in Kyiv, the long-awaited presentation took place of seven books translated from Yiddish into Ukrainian. These translations were made possible only three decades after Ukraine gained independence.
The project was implemented with the support of the international program “Creative Europe”, and the main initiators were experts from the Center for Research of History and Culture of Eastern European Jewry and the publisher “Spirit I Liter”.
Why have translations from Yiddish only become available now?
The history of Yiddish literature in Ukraine is tragic. Before World War II, Yiddish was one of the most common languages among Jews of Eastern Europe; however:
- The Holocaust practically destroyed native speakers and translators.
- During the Stalin era, Soviet repressions banned Jewish culture.
- After 1991, experts capable of working with this language emerged only decades later.
Now, thanks to the efforts of modern researchers, Jewish literature is once again accessible to Ukrainian readers.
Who presented the project?
The presentation was made by leading specialists in the field of Jewish culture and translation:
- Leonid Finberg – Director of the Center for Research on History and Culture of Eastern European Jewry, editor-in-chief of the Publishing House “Spirit I Liter”.
- Anna Umanskaya – Historian, translator, project manager.
- Oleksandra Uralova (online) – Philologist, poet, songwriter.
- Tatyana Nepipenko – Translator.
- Sofia Corn – Historian, poet, translator.
The presentation took place at the Bookstore “є” in the center of Kyiv. The entrance was free, encouraging everyone to join the discussion.
What is “Spirit I Liter” and why is it important for Ukraine and Israel?
The publisher “Spirit I Liter” https://duh-i-litera.com/ is one of the main bridges between Ukrainian and Jewish cultures. Its activities include:
- Publishing books on Jewish history, philosophy, and culture.
- Research on the Holocaust and Ukrainian-Jewish relations.
- Translations of classical and modern Jewish authors.
In the context of Ukrainian-Israeli relations, the work of the publishing house contributes to deepening dialogue between the two peoples and restoring a shared cultural heritage.
“These books are a step towards understanding and respect for the history that we must preserve.”
Statistics: Yiddish in Ukraine and the world
| Period | Number of Yiddish speakers in Ukraine | Reasons for the decline |
|---|---|---|
| 1920s | ≈ 3 million | Yiddish was one of the primary languages of the Jewish community. |
| 1940s | ≈ 1 million | Holocaust, repressions. |
| 1991 | <100 thousand | Mass emigration to Israel and the USA. |
| 2020s | <10 thousand | Assimilation, transition to Hebrew and Russian. |
Today, Yiddish speakers in Ukraine and Israel are scarce, but such projects help to preserve and revive the language.
Conclusion
The presentation of translations from Yiddish is an important step in restoring the historical dialogue between Ukraine and the Jewish world. These books not only enhance understanding of Jewish culture but also open new opportunities for cooperation between Ukraine and Israel.
“We are returning what was lost so that it does not disappear forever,” emphasized Anna Umanskaya.
Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ganklux8fsw
Read more on NAnews – Israeli News!
