News

On 19 May in Jerusalem, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Linas Linkevičius visited the World Centre for Holocaust Research – Yad Vashem – where he laid a wreath and paid tribute to the victims of the Holocaust. Linkevičius met with Chairman of the Yad Vashem Directorate Avner Shalev to discuss ways of preserving the memory of the Holocaust, research and education.

 “After the restoration of Lithuania’s independence, we focused on fulfilling many meaningful tasks honouring the memory of the Jewish victims. We must continue to make every effort in order to preserve the Jewish heritage, to educate a tolerant younger generation, and to develop programmes in Holocaust education,” the head of the Lithuanian diplomacy said at the meeting.

Linkevičius thanked the leadership of the Yad Vashem for its long-time cooperation with Lithuanian institutions, historians and other scholars, teachers, and persons in culture engaged with programmes on the Holocaust memory, research and education.

The Lithuanian Foreign Minister informed the participants of the meeting that the Seimas (Parliament) of Lithuania designated 2013 as the Year of Remembrance of the Vilna Ghetto. The Government is implementing a broad programme to honour the memory of the victims of the Vilna Ghetto in cooperation with the Lithuanian Jewish community, non-governmental organizations, Lithuanian diplomatic missions, and the academic community. From 22 to 25 September, the Fourth World Litvak Congress will be held in Vilnius. The Congress will commemorate the 70th anniversary of the liquidation of the Vilna Ghetto.