The National Memorial Day for the Genocide Victims of the Lithuanian Jews

On 19 September the firts events to commemorate the Lithuania's National Holocaust Memorial Day started. During the evening Bartosz Frątczak photography exhibition "Non-Existing" was opened. Born in Poland and currently living in Vilnius, the photographer captures the tragic history of Lithuanian localities and people, marked by the legacy of an endangered Jewish culture. Later the guests of the evening stayed at the concert of Golda Vainberg-Tatz. Golda Vainberg-Tatz received her musical education in native Lithuania at the Čiurlionis School of Arts, Israel’s Rubin Academy of Music at Tel Aviv University, Manhattan School of Music, and The Juilliard School. The concert was dedicated to remember the Righteous among the Nations, as the pianist's mother was rescued by the priest Antanas Gobis.

 

23 September a traditional March of the Living procession was happening from Paneriai railway station to Paneriai Memorial where the genocide victims were honored.

 

26 September Lithuanian Embassy in London commemorating victims of genocide of Lithuanian Jews invited Jewish and Lithuanian communities in the UK to an evening dedicated to Samuel Bak, who was born in Vilnius and lived there until his teenage years, who, thanks to the rescuers, survived the demolition of the Vilnius ghetto. Ieva Šadzevičienė, the Head of the Tolerance Center and Samuel Bak Museum of Vilna Gaon State Jewish Museum, presented the exceptional dramatic life story of the Litvak painter, a citizen of honor of Vilnius and its reflection in his works.Samuel Bak himself spoke to the audience about his work and its importance, answering numerous questions from the audience during a tele-bridge. He told why it is important to him that his only museum is opened in Vilnius.

 

Photo credits: Paulius Račiūnas, The Parliament of Lithuania, Lithuanian Embassy in London.