Jewish Culture in the First Half of the 20th Century in Vilnius. Participant or Recluse?

Abstract

Abstract. This study attempts to find out whether during the first half of the 20th century in Vilnius Jewish culture was a separate cultural space or an integral part of the city’s cultural scene. The research is based on analysis of documents and periodical press in Lithuanian, Yiddish, and Polish. The article evaluates two aspects of participation in cultural life: active participation (artists) and consuming (the public). Analysis of the periodical press and archival documents allows to claim that involvement of Jewish artists differed in different types of culture: Jewish artists and musicians were visible and valued by the non-Jewish public, whereas Yiddish theatre and literature were noticed very sporadically.