VILKAVISKIS
          A small town in Southern Lithuania
Where the Jewish Community is no more

Lithuanian Holocaust Day

Remembrance Activities in Lithuania
I
n 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
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.
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
Remembering 2 Remembering 12 Remembering 9 Remembering 3 Remembering Remembering 6 Remembering 11
Remembering 5 Remembering 13 Remembering 4 Remembering 10 Rembering 8 Remembering 7
The school children The site It rains in saddness Interview with Eli Laying the Remberance stones
The school children The site It rains in saddness Interview with Eli Laying the Remberance stones
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
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
Memorial 1 memorial 5 memorial 3
Memorial 1 memorial 5 memorial 3
In memory of Dvora Olexanski for my dear friend Lida and her family
Rembering Devorah Your aunt is remembered in Vilkaviskis for Lidia
Rembering Devorah Your aunt is remembered in Vilkaviskis for Lidia
Local Newspaper article
Local Newspaper article