26 May 2025

The Fascinating and Multifaceted 3,300-year Evolution and Regenesis of Hebrew

Tuesday evening, 3 June at 6 pm, our library invites you to a lecture by professor Ghil'ad Zuckermann “The Fascinating and Multifaceted 3,300-year Evolution and Regenesis of Hebrew”.

The lecture will be held in English (with translation into Lithuanian).

Professor Zuckermann, a leading linguist and revivalist, will take us on a compelling journey through the history of Hebrew—from its emergence after the conquest of Canaan, its prominence during the Iron Age kingdoms of Israel and Judah, to its decline and eventual disappearance as a spoken language by the 2nd century AD.

After centuries as a liturgical and literary medium, Hebrew underwent a dramatic transformation in the modern era. The lecture will shed light on its unprecedented

revival in the early 20th century, driven by Eliezer Ben-Yehuda and others who saw language as central to cultural and national identity.

Key highlights include the story of a 3,700-year-old inscription—the earliest known Canaanite sentence—and the complex interplay of languages such as Yiddish in shaping modern Israeli Hebrew.

Engaging, informative, and rich with historical insight, this talk is ideal for anyone interested in linguistics, Jewish heritage, or the dynamic forces behind language revival.

Professor Ghil'ad Zuckermann (DPhil Oxford; PhD Cambridge) is a world-renowned linguist, revivalist, and founder of the field of Revivalistics, which explores language reclamation and revitalization globally. Listed among Australia's top 30 “living legends of research” by The Australian (2024), he is the author of several acclaimed books, including Revivalistics (Oxford University Press, 2020) and Israelit Safa Yafa (2008). Also the professor received the Rubinlicht Prize for his outstanding contribution to Yiddish scholarship in 2023.

He has played a leading role in reviving Aboriginal languages such as Barngarla in South Australia and has advised on language revitalization efforts worldwide. He serves as Chair of the Jury for the Jeonju International Awards for Promoting Intangible Cultural Heritage and sits on the International Academic Board of Advisors of ISGAP.

Professor Zuckermann is based at Flinders University in Adelaide and has taught at institutions across five continents, including the University of Cambridge, Hebrew University, and Shanghai Jiao Tong University. His groundbreaking MOOC, Language Revival, has reached over 20,000 learners from 190 countries.

The lecture will take place at the Vilnius Jewish Public Library (Gedimino 24). Entrance is in the courtyard of Vilnius Small State Theatre.

The organizers may be taking photographs and videotaping the event as part of the Vilnius Jewish Public Library's historical record of its programs over the years.

Registration to event ›

Briefly about the event

Date

3 June

Time

6 PM

Place

Vilnius Jewish Public Library (Gedimino av. 24)

Duration

2 hours

Attendance

Please register here ›

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Organizers

Vilnius Jewish Public Library

Important

the event may be photographed and/or filmed
the event will be held in English (with translation into Lithuanian)