On October 22 - 23, 2017, the World Jewish Center International Yiddish Center representative Yuliia Smilianska provided two lectures on the topic „Yiddish land. History of Ukrainian Jewry".

She took part at the festival of Jewish and Yiddish culture, which was held within the framework of the annual project „Book of Generations" in the Israeli cultural center in Odessa, Ukraine.

It is a common project of WJC YC and Am haZikaron Institute of Science and Heritage of Jewish People, located in Tel-Aviv.

The main goal of this project is to help participants to find their Jewish roots wherever it may be.

The first lecture of Yuliia Smilianska was devoted to history, culture, architecture of shtetl and reflection of lives in shtetls in Yiddish literature. In her second lecture she talked about phenomenon of Odessa Jewry, about Odessa Jewish press and about literary life in Odessa at the end of 19th and the beginning of 20th century.

The special focus was made on Mendele Moycher-Sforim (in regards with centenary of his death). Alongside she touched the topic related to the creation of Achad ha-Am, Zeev Jabotinsky and other writers, poets and public personalities of Odessa who have become iconic figures of Jewish history.

Lectures gained very lively feedback and discussion on the mentioned subject.

WJC YC received a thank you letter with appreciation of Yuliia Smilianska's lecturing professionalism.