Yiddish Celebrates 25 Years as Swedish Minority Language
Why this is here: The anthology includes a text from Salomon Schulman’s book about Isaac Bashevis Singer’s upbringing in early 20th-century Warsaw, highlighting the cultural significance of the author within the Yiddish community.
Yiddish marks 25 years as a minority language in Sweden with the release of a new anthology, “Jiddisch i Sverige: mir zaynen do. Volym 1.” The collection features essays from a diverse group of writers, including young and old, religious and secular individuals. Editor Sarah Schulman states the volume includes contributions from poets, artists, and scholars.
The anthology blends personal stories with texts on Yiddish literature, music, and history. It also includes an academic text detailing the language’s evolution.
Before World War II, approximately 11 million people spoke Yiddish. The Holocaust reduced that number to around 5 million, with continued decline afterward.
Many essays link Yiddish to the past and a sense of belonging. Several authors share poignant migrant stories, detailing experiences of flight and displacement. The anthology is dedicated to Salomon Schulman, a doctor, poet, and author who was unable to finish his contribution before his death.