On the 31st of March, 2016, the photography exhibition „From Unknown to Unknown: World War II Refugees in Lithuania“ from the collections of M. K. Čiurlionis National Museum of Art was opened at the Tolerance Center of the Vilna Gaon State Jewish Museum. Newly published exhibition catalog was presented during the event, followed by the discussion on the theme of the refugees, moderated by the Director of the Vilna Gaon State Jewish Museum Markas Zingeris.

Dr. Surgailis and Director Markas Zingeris share their thoughts on the theme of the refugees

In mid-January, 1940, approximate number of WWII refugees in Lithuania reached 34,939 including 4,173 Lithuanians, 17,297 Poles, Byelorussians and Russians and 13,469 Jews. The atmosphere lingering in Vilnius City was captured by the family of photographers Edmundas Zdanauskas (1905–1984) and Boleslava Zdanauskienė (née Tallat-Kelpšaitė, 1908–1982), working on the mission for the Support of Vilnius Region Society. Photographs are enriched by the unique comments, given by the member of the Society.

Director of M. K. Čiurlionis National Museum of Art Osvaldas Daugelis and the curator of the exhibition and the compiler of catalog Vaida Sirvydaitė Rakutienė will be presenting the unique collection of 76 photographs, safeguarded in the Museum. Director of the Vilna Gaon State Jewish Museum Markas Zingeris and the author of the main article in the catalog, historian Dr. Gintautas Surgailis will share their thoughts and insights on the European refugees in years of WWII and nowadays.

Exhibition will be displayed at the Tolerance Center until the 22nd of May, 2016.

Osvaldas Daugelis, Director of M. K. Čiurlionis National Museum of Art presents the exhibition and the newly released catalog	Vaida Sirvydaitė-Rakutienė, Curator of the exhibition and compiler of the catalog shares the experience on the working process while comping the catalog

Ambassador-at-Large Dainius Junevičius talks to Dr. Gintautas Surgailis

Director Markas Zingeris