HONORARY CHAIR OF THE LITHUANIAN JEWISH COMMUNITY SIMONAS ALPERAVIČIUS RECEIVES LITHUANIAN DIPLOMACY STAR
On 21 September, the award of honour of the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Lithuanian Diplomacy Star – was conferred on Simonas Alperavičius, the Honorary Chairman of the Lithuanian Jewish Community that has shown an outstanding dedication to advancing bilateral relations between Lithuania and Israel, and democratic values. According to the Lithuanian Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Neris Germanas who has conferred the award on the Honorary Chairman, S.Alperavičius was more than once was and still is a wise adviser to civil servants and diplomats; he is a luminary, an active organizer and participant in many international events.
“Always open, robust and trustworthy, the Chair of the Lithuanian Jewish Community Simonas Alperavičius has helped us more than once when there was a need to legally defend the interests of national minorities in Lithuania, as the country stepped once again on the path to democracy and the rule of law, when it was necessary to protect constitutional rights and freedoms of our citizens, human dignity and legitimate interests of the Lithuanian Jewish Community,” N.Germanas said.
According to the Lithuanian Foreign Vice-Minister, since the very first World Litvak Congress S.Alperavičius has spared no effort to preserve contacts between the dispersed world Litvak family and Lithuania, and to enable Lithuania to take pride in the deeds of the Jewish compatriots.
“Simonas Alperavičius also made his voice heard when we sought international recognition, full membership in the transatlantic community, and good neighbourly relations with larger countries,” said N. Germanas.
The IV World Litvak Congress dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the liquidation of the Vilna Ghetto is held on 22-25 September in Vilnius.
The Seimas (Parliament) of Lithuania designated 2013 as the Year of Remembrance of the Vilna Ghetto and the Government drafted a broad programme to honour the memory of the victims of the Vilna Ghetto. In 1994, the 23rd of September was declared National Memorial Day for the Genocide of Lithuanian Jews.
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