News

On 27 January at the events of the International Holocaust Remembrance Day in Vilnius, Lithuanian Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Asta Skaisgirytė Liauškienė called for making every effort to perpetuate the memory of the Holocaust and for encouraging the younger generation to learn about the roots of this unique racial crime and its tragic scope.

“Even today the Lithuanian society and the entire international community should make every effort to help the younger generation, who have not witnessed the horrors of the Second World War with their own eyes, learn about the preconditions that enabled this unique racial crime - the Holocaust – and its manifestations,” the Vice-Minister stressed.

According to her, the scientific studies about similarities and differences of the totalitarian crimes carried out in many countries of the world contribute to better understanding of “the evil seed giving rise to hate crimes based on a race, ethnic background or religion, which have claimed the lives of millions of people”.

Moreover, this makes it easier for us to find effective ways to curb anti-Semitism, xenophobia, and any kind of discord that can potentially lead to bloody conflicts.

Skaisgirytė Liauškienė took part in the opening of the exhibition of a unique ‘malina’ shelter at the Jewish Culture and Information Centre in the former Vilna ghetto territory. This exhibition acquaints with the so-called ghetto “malina” shelters – the hiding places where Jews found shelter during the Nazi-occupation of Lithuania.

The Centre also hosts a photo exhibition “Memorial for a Monument” by photographer Rimantas Dichavičius. The exhibition consists of photos of the former Jewish cemetery on Olandų Street in Vilnius. The cemetery was destroyed by the Soviet authorities in 1965.

The events marking the International Holocaust Remembrance Day took place at the Tolerance Centre of the Vilna Gaon State Jewish Museum, also in other Lithuanian cultural and educational institutions. On the occasion of the International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Vilnius Municipality Choir Jauna muzika (Young Music) gave a solemn concert at the Jascha Heifetz Hall (named after the famous violinist) of the Lithuanian Jewish Community.

Members of Lithuanian diplomatic service abroad commemorate the memory of the Holocaust victims together with the Jews of Lithuanian origin. They participate in various memorial events organized by international institutions and non-governmental organizations.