The World Jewish Congress views the revival of the Yiddish language and culture as instrumental in regenerating Jewish life in Europe after the Holocaust. The Yiddish culture is an integral part of the spiritual heritage of the Jewish people. For about 800 years, Yiddish was the spoken language of the majority of European Jews and Jewish immigrants to other countries. Until World War II, Yiddish culture thrived, producing a vibrant folklore, literature, music, theater, film and media. Vilnius has been chosen as the location for the WJC Yiddish Center, because for centuries it was considered the major center of Jewish culture in Europe that would have a lasting impact on world Jewry. Vilnius came to be known as "Yerushalayim De Lita" (Jerusalem of Lithuania) or the Northern Jerusalem. We are getting acquainted with Yiddish through seminars, lectures, excursions in Vilnius and other towns.