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If you drive through the Vilijampolė [Slobodka] neighborhood [in Kaunas] it’s impossible not to notice the brightly-colored house reflecting the sun and car headlights. Artist Vytenis Jakas’s project Burning Stones at the former ghetto gate in Vilijampolė attracted guests to its opening ceremony where the history of the location was recalled publicly. Israeli ambassador Amir Maimon, Kaunas Jewish Community chairman Gercas Žakas and “Kaunas: Capital of Europe 2022” ambassador Bella Shirin attended the ceremony.

“About 40,000 Jews lived in this neighborhood, men, women and children. Each was assigned a living space less than three meters square. The territory was surrounded by barbed wire. Day and night the people here lived in tremendous fear they would be taken to be killed… But, despite everything, life went on here. Although it was forbidden, children were born and the people kept the Sabbath important to the Jewish nation. We should also remember what was good, but we cannot forget the pain and hardships people went through. Today, the Jewish people will live through the bright colors of this house,” Israeli ambassador Amir Maimon said enthusiastically standing next to the large outdoor art project.

Kaunas Jewish Community chairman Gercas Žakas also spoke and members of the Kaunas Jewish Community including Kaunas ghetto survivors attended the event, including Fruma Kučinskienė. Justas Ivanauskas, Saulė Juzelėnienė and others from the Kiemas Gallery in Kaunas contributed to the project.

More photos by Justas Ivanauskas here.