VILKAVISKIS
A small town in Southern Lithuania
Where the Jewish Community is no more
Lithuanian Holocaust Day
Remembrance Activities in Lithuania
In Lithuania, Holocaust Memorial Day is observed on 23 September to commemorate the victims of the destruction of Vilnius ghetto, murdered in Paneriai in 1943. In 1994, the 23rd of September was declared the National Memorial Day for the Genocide of Lithuanian Jews, and it has been commemorated every year since. The Commission for the Preparation of National Holidays under the Ministry of Culture is responsible for programmes of official events. Every year, regional communities and schoolchildren are becoming more actively involved in Holocaust commemoration activities through projects implemented by other governmental and nongovernmental organizations.
We drove to Sudava Regional School - after a short meeting with the Headmistress Mrs Laima Pakinkiene and meeting again Ms. Regina Naujokaitiene. the teacher incharge of Holocaust studies .
Together with the children we drove to the site where the Jewish Community of this area had been murdered.
I was very moved to how the school marks Lithuanian Holocaust Day. The teacher, Mrs. Regina Naujokaitiene explained what took place here, then the children laid wreaths and the stones they had prepared and then stood in a minutes silence.
It was a very moving experience
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At the end of the ceremony. |
The Stage at the SUDAVA Sudava Regional Secondary school, with memorial stones painted blue and white, memorial candles and flowers. |
The children prepare for the ceremony |
Ms. Regina Naujokaitiene. the teacher incharge of Holocaust studies, gives a short talk to her students. |
2011
At the Holocaust Site in Vilkaviskis
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The school children |
The site |
It rains in saddness |
Interview with Eli |
Laying the Remberance stones |
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Yossi giving his speech |
Yossi Antanas Eli Algis and the Mayot |
Yossi |
Speech in Lithuanian |
A sad day Algis Eli Antanas The Mayor Lorraine Elis wife |
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Memorial 1 |
memorial 5 |
memorial 3 |
In memory of Dvora Olexanski for my dear friend Lida and her family
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Rembering Devorah |
Your aunt is remembered in Vilkaviskis |
for Lidia |
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Local Newspaper article |