On March 24, 2025, YIVO marked its 100th anniversary. On this day in 1925, the Institute for Jewish Research (Yidisher visnshaftlekher institut, known by its abbreviation as YIVO) was established in Vilna (then Poland, now Vilnius, Lithuania). It quickly became one of the most preeminent authorities on Yiddish scholarship and culture in all its aspects. The Institute also played a crucial role in establishing the literary standard of the Yiddish language.

Based now in New York, YIVO is hosting a series of public programs celebrating the centenary, covering various academic topics, klezmer music, its own rich history, and more. To contribute to this commemoration, the Forverts published the audio recording of Max Weinreich’s speech at the YIVO 40th Anniversary Lunch (March 24, 1965). Dr. Max Weinreich (1894 – 1969) was a prominent linguist, specializing in sociolinguistics and Yiddish, the language in which he wrote most of his prolific academic works, including the monumental 4-volume History of the Yiddish Language.