A special series of events dedicated to commemorate the nationally designated day of genocide of the Jewish people of Lithuania, with events set to commemorating also the liquidation of the Kaunas (Kovno) and Šiauliai (Shavl) ghettos as well as other important dates in Lithuanian Jewish history.
Wednesday 17 September
5.30 PM Diplomats of the Condemned – event to commemorate Jan Zwartendijk and Chiune Sugihara, honourable diplomats, who, endangering their careers and even life, saved Jews during WWII.
Enseble Orphic Trio from United Kingdom (Orpheus Papafilippou – violin, William Routledge – cello and Rimantas Vingras – piano), Music by Joseph Achron, Tōru Takemitsu and Dmitrij Shostakovich.
Organizators of the event – the Vilna Gaon Jewish State Museum together with London „Santara-Šviesa“ club.
Entrance by invitation only
Vilna Gaon Jewish State Museum Tolerance center, Naugarduko str. 10/2, Vilnius
Thursday 18 September
Events in ŠIAULIAI:
11.00 AM Memorial ceremony in Kuziai district
12.00 AM Memorial Ceremony near former Siauliai ghetto gate. Ežero str. 31 A
1.00 PM Unveiling of a statue for a famous Šiauliai industrialist Chaim Frenkel
near Šiauliai Frenkel Villa. Vilnius str. 47
7.00 PM Israel Philharmonic Orchestra concert (conductor: Dr. Zubin Mehta) at the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre.
Entrance with tickets only.
A.Vienuolio str. 1 , Vilnius
Friday 19 September
11.00 AM Rigtheous Among The Nations award ceremony at the Presidential Palace with the partcipation of H. E. President of the Republic of Lithuania Ms. Dalia Grybauskaitė.
Entrance by invitation only
S. Daukanto str. 3, Vilnius
Project Bagel Shop: tolerance campaign against anti-Semitism and hate speech in the public space. ” (A program implemented by the JCL under EEA Grants system):
10.00 AM – 3 PM Capacity-building training in The Jewish Community of Lithuania,
Pylimo str. 4, White Hall, Ist floor. Free entrance.
3.00 PM Bagel Nomination – official award ceremony to the most notable tolerance promoters at the Lithuanian Government premises.
Entrance by invitation only
The Lithuanian Government premises, Gedimino prospect 11, Vilnius
Events in JONIŠKIS, Joniškis Red Synagogue (Miesto a. 4 b):
1.00 PM – Opening of the exhibition „Fostering of the Jewish Historical Memory in Joniškis“
Photos from the Joniškis History and Culture Museum resources depicting moments from events of European Jewish Culture Days, Jewish Cemetery maintenance works, educational activities, commemoration events, White and Red synagogues maintenance and restoration works.
1.30 PM Conference „The preservation and acknowledgment of Jewish historical and cultural heritage in Joniškis“
Greeting word from Joniškis municipality representative and Joniškis History and Culture Museum Director direktorė Rasa Ališauskienė
1.40 PM – Presentation „The preservation and future vision of Joniškis synagogues“
(Joniškis dirstrict municipality Economical development and investitions department Head Specialist Artūras Pališkevičius).
2.10 PM – Presentation „The actualization and populiarization of the Jewish heritage in Joniškis district “ (Joniškis History and Culture Museum worker Darius Vičas)
2.30 PM – Musical composition „What the World Rests On“ by the motives of Icchokas Meras. Performed by: Arkadijus Gotesmanas (percussion), Dima Golovanovas (keyboard) and Rolandas Rastauskas (voice).
6.30 PM Shabbath with the members of Israeli filharmonic orchestra members and other participants of the events.
Conference centre Dainava, A. Vienuolio str. 4
Saturday 20 September
Project Bagel Shop: tolerance campaign against anti-Semitism and hate speech in the public space. (A program implemented by the JCL under EEA Grants system)
10.00 AM – 3.00 PM Capacity-building training. (Free entrance, JCL premises, Pylimo str. 4)
6.00 PM Makabi, Jewish Sports club of Lithuania, 25th Anniversary celebration at Vilnius Old Town Hall (Rotušė)
Entrance by invitation only
Vilnius Old Town Hall , Didzioji str. 32
Sunday 21 September
9.00 AM Unveiling of a new plaque commemorating Dr. Tsemakh (Zemach) Shabad, the legendary Vilna doctor and Jewish leader
Former Jewish hospital, Kauno str. 7
Partner of the project – Jewish Culture and Information Centre
9.00 AM Dr. Tsemakh (Zemach) Shabad Memorial ceremony at the old Jewish cemetery in Saltoniškės (known in Litvak history as Piramónt
Sudervės Road 28, Vilnius
10 AM- 2 PM Conference “The medical personnel of Lithuanian Jerusalem” in Seimas, the Lithuanian Parliamet to commemorate Jewish medical workers who perished in the Kaunas (Kovno) and Šiauliai (Shavl) ghettos.
Presentation of the book The Medics of the Jerusalem of Lithuania and new calendar for the year 5775; opening of the YIVO (Institute for Jewish Research based in New York) exhibition dedicated to Tsemakh (Zemach) Shabad
Lunch in Seimas
Seimas, Gedimino prospect 53, Vilnius
6 PM Evening to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of cantor Michail Alexandrovich . Presentation of the book “Six Michail Alexandrovich’s careers” with participation of the author of the book, journalist and translator Leonid Makhlis.
Moderator – Prof. Leonidas Melnikas
Free entrance. The Jewish (Litvak) Community of Lithuania Pylimo str. 4, Vilnius
Monday 22 September
Events in KAUNAS:
11.00 AM Memorial ceremony at the Kaunas Ninth Fort
1.00 PM –Unveiling of portraits-frescoes of former ghetto prisoner Dita Sperling and ghetto policeman Juda Zupavičius, famous for his heroism and devotion.
5 PM Evening to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of cantor Michail Alexandrovich . Presentation of the book “Six Michail Alexandrovich’s careers” with participation of the author of the book, journalist and translator Leonid Makhlis.
Moderator – Prof. Leonidas Melnikas
M. and K. Petrauskai Lithuanian Music Museum. K. Petrausko str. 31, Kaunas
Events in VILNIUS:
16.00 – Presentation of Arūnas Bubnys book „Kaunas ghetto 1941–1944“
Lithuanian language.
Free entrance.
JCL premises, Pylimo g. 4, Vilnius, Jascha Heifetz hall (III floor)
Tuesday September 23
10 AM –Session in Seimas to commemorate 70th liquidation of Kaunas and Šiauliai ghettos.
Entrance by invitation only
(Lietuvos Respublikos Seimo rūmai, Gedimino per. 53, Vilnius).
1 PM Memorial eremony at the Ponár Memorial Museum.
Agrastų str. 15, Vilnius
7 PM Concert in Saint Kotryna Church, Vilnius municipality choir “Jauna muzika”. Conductor – Ronen Borshevsky (Israel)
Free entrance
Vilnius str. 30
Thursday September 25
Event in KLAIPEDA:
5 PM Evening to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of cantor Michail Alexandrovich . Presentation of the book “Six Michail Alexandrovich’s careers” with participation of the author of the book, journalist and translator Leonid Makhlis.
(National minorities center of Klaipeda, K. Donelaičio str. 6B, Klaipėda).