“The majority of ghetto residents were murdered,” Panevėžys Jewish Community chairman Gennady Kofman began the ceremony to mark the national Day of Remembrance of Lithuanian Jewish Victims of Genocide and the 80th anniversary of the liquidation of the Vilnius ghetto.

Participants gathered at the “Sad Jewish Mother” monument marking an entrance to the Panevėžys ghetto now located at the edge of newly-renamed Memory Square where they lit candles and placed wreaths and stones. Speakers included Kofman, Panevėžys deputy mayor Loreta Masiliūnienė, Panevėžys regional administration mayor Antanas Pocius and local high school students.

Following this event participants travelled to mass murder sites in the Kurganava and Žalioji forests where candles were lit and wreaths of flowers and stones were placed on mass grave monuments.