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On 29 July in Vilnius, a special working group discussed guidelines for the creation of the Litvak Heritage Forum (LHF). The group was established by the decision of Lithuania’s Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius.

“Distinctive Litvak legacy was created over the centuries and it constitutes an integral part of Lithuania’s history and culture. We trust that not only our citizens in Lithuania, but also Litvaks living all around the world will be joint together by this noble initiative to preserve the Litvak heritage for the present and future generations,” head of the working group, Lithuania’s Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Šarūnas Adomavičius said during the meeting.

The Vice-Minister noted that the Litvak Jews, who lived in Lithuania and also in the large region of Eastern and Central Europe, suffered terrible losses during the Holocaust, wars and occupations.

According to the Vice-Minister, the treasures of culture, art and science that were created by Litvaks are priceless for Lithuania and all mankind. Therefore, we share an important moral obligation to foster this heritage.

“The Litvak history, culture and contribution to the development of Lithuania and many other states are significant also today. The Litvak legacy has to be best-known in our society, especially to the youth, and promoted around the world as much as possible,” Vice-Minister Š.Adomavičius said.

Members of the working group convened for their first meeting, which focused on basic guidelines for the creation of the Litvak Heritage Forum, they exchanged ideas on priorities of the forum and discussed organizational issues.

Heads of the Lithuanian Jewish Community, Jewish Religious Community of Kaunas, Lithuanian Jewish Culture and Information Centre, Vilnius Yiddish Institute, International Commission for the Evaluation of the Crimes of the Nazi and Soviet Occupation Regimes in Lithuania and public consultants of the Prime Minister’s Office, representatives from the Seimas (Parliament), Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Education and Science, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and experts from other institutions will analyze suggestions and will create a concept of the Litvak Heritage Forum by 1 November. It will be presented to the Government of Lithuania, international Litvak organizations and the concerned public.