Lithuanian Jewish Community chairwoman Faina Kukliansky took part in an opening ceremony for an exhibition of photography about Lithuanian rescuers of Jews during the Holocaust, part of a joint project by the LJC and the Sovereign Order of Malta to commemorate and provide aid to rescuers. Lithuanian president Dalia Grybauskaitė and Order of Malta ambassador to Lithuania Manfred Leo Mautner Markhof also took part at the opening ceremony in the exhibit space of the Tuskulėnai Memorial Park Complex in Vilnius May 29.

The Lithuanian president said the exhibit, which will go on display around Lithuania, documents Righteous Gentiles who saved hundreds of Jews at great risk to themselves. They shared hope, bread and their homes with Jews during the Holocaust. She said by extending a helping hand, they also saved humanity and the dignity of the Lithuanian nation. They have become a source of inspiration in the lives of Lithuania’s people today, she said, adding their attitude towards others and their self-sacrifice is needed daily.

LJC chairwoman Faina Kukliansky said:

“More than 800 Lithuanians made the fateful decision during World War II to resist the axiomata of hate. Their only weapon was their conscience which, led by the choice to remain human, made these non-Jews an eternal and spiritual part of our people. Our gratitude cannot be expressed in words, nor measured in numbers; it is limitless and intangible, having become as it were a light of God’s being in the imperfect grey ghetto or in hiding in a forest hideout. These are people thanks to whom we were reborn to new life, thanks to whom we gout back our energy for the old faith.

“These brave Lithuanians built eternal bridges between nations and generations and became the true goodwill ambassadors of hope, humanity and faith. The time has come for Lithuania to name her heroes; their names and stories should be entered into the textbooks, streets, schools should be named after them, and monuments to them erected.

“An eternal Righteous Gentile monument will guard their memory, but we are also making efforts to ease their final days, and in the name of the Community I sincerely thank the Order of Malta with whose joint efforts we are making this happen. These brave Lithuanians gave us a future, so we will not stop, we will seek for ways we can help the descendants of these enlightened people.

“I am also happy that after 28 years of independence on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of statehood a memorial to Righteous Gentiles will appear on a street in the capital. I sincerely hope His Holiness Pope Francis will honor with a prayer these extraordinary witnesses to hope and justice during his first visit to Lithuania on the day marking the 75th anniversary of the destruction of the Vilnius ghetto.”

Photos: Robertas Dačkus