Holocaust Education, Remembrance, and Research in Lithuania
Jews have lived in Lithuania since the Middle Ages. During 700 years they have become an inseparable part of Lithuanian society, having enriched the country's economy, culture, science and education. It is difficult to imagine how Lithuanian society would appear today, how colorful it would be, if the biggest catastrophe of the 20th century had not occurred. About 200 000 Lithuanian Jews perished during the Holocaust. We must remember that and learn painful history lessons, know and understand the reasons of this tragedy and do everything that such events would newer shadow human history again. Memory of the innocent victims must be preserved, heroes praised and perpetrators condemned.
Executive Director of International Historical Commission
International Holocaust Remembrance Day 2012:
Lithuania Makes Sincere and Continuous Efforts Towards Perpetuating Memory of the Holocaust Victims, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Says
On the occasion of the International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Audronius Ažubalis called for the continuation of the successful fight against antisemitism, racism and other forms of intolerance, the fostering of the memory of the Holocaust victims, the development of education about this tragic page of history and support for the projects of the Jewish culture that is deeply rooted in Lithuania.
"On the International Holocaust Remembrance Day we commemorate millions of Jews and other victims of Nazism. It reminds us to join the fight against any form of discrimination, intolerance or hatred. Best way to pay tribute to the Holocaust victims is to make continues effort to ensure that this tragedy would never happen again, also to ensure the respect of human dignity and the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms irrespective of the origin, sex, race, religion or social status," Ažubalis said.
The Seimas (Parliament) of Lithuania declared 2011 as the Year of Remembrance for the Victims of the Holocaust in Lithuania. The Government has implemented a comprehensive programme commemorating the Holocaust victims, Lithuanian anti-Nazi fighters and saviours of Jews, also preserving and perpetuating the historical and cultural heritage of the Lithuanian Jews.
As part of the Government's programme, Lithuanian diplomatic service engaged in the organization of the international academic conference in London "No Simple Stories: Jewish-Lithuanian Relations between Coexistence and Violence". Exhibitions presenting the Jewish cultural heritage ran during this colloquium of historians.
In Prague, Lithuania's OSCE chairmanship in cooperation with its foreign partners organised the conference "Confronting Anti-Semitism in Public Discourse". The exhibition "The Jewish World of Yesterday, the Hope of Today" was opened during the event.
Lithuanian embassies, Jewish communities, non-governmental organisations and the global Litvak diaspora commemorated the victims of the Holocaust.
"Lithuania makes sincere and continuous efforts towards perpetuating the memory of the Holocaust victims, fighting against anti-Semitism, fostering tolerance and mutual respect," Ažubalis stressed.
In November 2011, the international conference "Totalitarianism and Tolerance. Challenges to Freedom" took place in Vilnius. Officials, diplomats, representatives from the academic community, members of minorities and public organizations, clergy, journalists, specialists of Holocaust studies and history from the U.S., Israel, Russia, Ukraine, and Lithuania shared their experience and knowledge at the event.
A special exhibition devoted to Nazi crimes in Lithuania runs in the former Gestapo cell at the Genocide and Resistance Research Centre of Lithuania, a film on the Jewish massacre in Lithuania was produced and can be viewed by visitors at the centre. A publication "Holocaust in Lithuania in 1941-1944" was issued.
"I am certain that in spite of the fairly difficult economic situation, and together with the Lithuanian Jewish community, we shall continue to implement the activities that are important for our historical memory, to foster the Lithuanian Jewish cultural heritage and to strengthen ties with Litvaks living all around the world," said the Minister of Foreign Affairs, who initiated the launch of the Year of Remembrance for the Victims of the Holocaust in Lithuania together with Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs Emanuelis Zingeris.
After the re-establishment of the state of Lithuania, the historical and cultural heritage of the Lithuanian Jewry is consistently being restored. Last year, an exhibition of Arbit Blatas pictures was organized at the Lithuanian National Gallery of Art, and an exhibition of pictures by Samuel Bak runs at the Vilna Gaon State Jewish Museum. The memory of the Vilna ghetto prisoner, world-renowned Yiddish poet Abraham Sutzkever was perpetuated. His book of poetry was published in Lithuanian and presented at the Jerusalem International Book Fair. The historical Jewish ghetto fragments of Vilnius are being restored, the memorial plaque at the old Jewish cemetery in Šnipiškės was unveiled and the remaining fragments of the Great Synagogue were unearthed. Monuments were built for Dr. Tzemach Shabad, one of the founders of the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research, Romain Gary, the Prix Goncourt winner and writer, Zalman Reisen, a scholar, Danielis Dolskis a composer and performer of popular music in Kaunas. Other works were carried out engaging Lithuanian historians, scholars, and museum employees from various regions of Lithuania. In December, the Jewish Public Library opened its doors in Vilnius.
Since 1994, Lithuania has annually marked the National Holocaust Remembrance Day on 23 September, on the occasion of the anniversary of the liquidation of the Vilna ghetto in 1943. In 2005, the United Nations designated January 27 - the day of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau - as International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
Younger Generation Should Be Well Aware of Holocaust Roots and its Tragic Scope, Lithuanian Foreign Vice-Minister Says
On 27 January at the events of the International Holocaust Remembrance Day in Vilnius, Lithuanian Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Asta Skaisgirytė Liauškienė called for making every effort to perpetuate the memory of the Holocaust and for encouraging the younger generation to learn about the roots of this unique racial crime and its tragic scope.
"Even today the Lithuanian society and the entire international community should make every effort to help the younger generation, who have not witnessed the horrors of the Second World War with their own eyes, learn about the preconditions that enabled this unique racial crime - the Holocaust - and its manifestations," the Vice-Minister stressed.
According to her, the scientific studies about similarities and differences of the totalitarian crimes carried out in many countries of the world contribute to better understanding of "the evil seed giving rise to hate crimes based on a race, ethnic background or religion, which have claimed the lives of millions of people".
Moreover, this makes it easier for us to find effective ways to curb anti-Semitism, xenophobia, and any kind of discord that can potentially lead to bloody conflicts.
Skaisgirytė Liauškienė took part in the opening of the exhibition of a unique 'malina' shelter at the Jewish Culture and Information Centre in the former Vilna ghetto territory. This exhibition acquaints with the so-called ghetto "malina" shelters - the hiding places where Jews found shelter during the Nazi-occupation of Lithuania.
Members of Lithuanian diplomatic service abroad commemorate the memory of the Holocaust victims together with the Jews of Lithuanian origin. They participate in various memorial events organized by international institutions and non-governmental organizations.
Additional Events
A project called "The Butterflies" the project will be implemented in Lithuania and was initiated by the Secretariat of The International Commission for the Evaluation of the Crimes of the Nazi and Soviet Occupation Regimes in Lithuania and Radviliškis Vaižgantas Progymnasium in order to commemorate the tragic fate of Lithuanian Jewish children during the Holocaust. All school communities were encouraged to join the project and make butterflies to symbolize Jewish children who perished during the Holocaust. Handmade butterflies will be exhibited at the exhibition in Radviliškis Vaižgantas Progymnasium on 3rd February, 2012. This project is being done in coordination with the Holocaust Museum Houston, which is collecting 1.5 million handmade butterflies for a special exhibit in 2012. More information is available here.
The Tolerance Center of the Vilna Gaon State Jewish Museum held an event entitled "Asking Questions About the World We Live," which took place on 26 January 2012, at 5.30 p.m.
in the Tolerance Center (Naugarduko St. 10/2, Vilnius). They also screened the documentary „Samuel Bak. The Art of Speaking About the Unspeakable" (2003). Famous Litvak artist Samuel Bak tells his personal reflections about the tragedy which shook all the mankind during the years of WWII. The repercussions of the unspeakable horror repeat in the oeuvres of the artist. The providence disclosed in this movie also presents the opportunity to re-discover his exposition „The Stations in Life", currently exhibited in the Tolerance Center.
A list of events occuring in Lithuania for International Holocaust Remembrance Day can be found here.
UPDATE: The Government of the Republic of Lithuania passes a Resolution declaring 2011 the Year of Remembrance of Lithuanian Citizens - Holocaust Victims. Click to read the Resolution, or to read the introductory remarks by Minister of Foreign Affairs Audronius Ažubalis.
UPDATE: Photos from the Holocaust commemoration ceremony at the Paneriai Memorial in Vilnius on 21 September 2010.
Paneriai Memorial Vilnius - 21 September 2010
Click on one of the images to view the gallery (5 pictures).
UPDATE: On 21 September Seimas (Parliament) of the Republic of Lithuania, expressing its sincere respect for the victims of the Holocaust in Lithuania, stressing that the loss of Lithuanian Jews during the occupation by Nazi Germany is a tremendous tragic part of our common history, condemning the genocide perpetrated against Jews by Nazis and their collaborators in Lithuania during the occupation by Nazi Germany, and continuing the policy of harmonious co-existence of nations and fight against any manifestations of anti-Semitism as stipulated in the Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania, resolved to declare the year 2011 as the Year of Remembrance for the Victims of the Holocaust in Lithuania.
NEW: Events taking place in Lithuania to mark International Holocaust Remembrance Day 2010
From the first days of Lithuanian independence political leadership of the country, due to the fact that during Soviet occupation Holocaust as the genocide of the Jews was neglected, pay special attention to the appropriate preservation of historical memory, commemoration of the victims, and education of new generation. By the declaration of 8th May 1990 "Regarding the Genocide of the Jewish Nation in Lithuania During the Nazi Occupation", adopted by the Parliament, the Republic of Lithuania has pledged to ensure the commemoration of the victims of the genocide of the Jewish nation and to fight any manifestations of Antisemitism. Soon lessons on the Holocaust were included as mandatory subject of the school history programs for the grades 5, 10 and 12. September 23rd was declared the national Holocaust Remembrance Day.
In 1998 by the decree of the President of Lithuania International Commission for the Evaluation of the Crimes of the Nazi and Soviet Occupation Regimes in Lithuania (further - International Historical Commission) was established with task to conduct objective research and to fill in the existing gaps in the history of Lithuania as well as to stimulate the process of historical justice and educate society by disseminating generated information and various educational initiatives.
New impulse was given in year 2000 then Lithuania jointed "Stockholm Declaration" and Government approved first National Holocaust Education Program. It encompassed a very large area of activity: teaching about the Holocaust, commemoration and museum activities, academic studies and publishing of books.
In 2002, Lithuania became a full member of International Task Force.
Period of 2002 - 2008
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Education
Holocaust education reached new methodological, pedagogical and organisational level in 2002 then Lithuania became full member of ITF and International Historical Commission initiated preparation and implementation of comprehensive National Program on Holocaust and Tolerance education. Initiative was presented and discussed during international conference "Holocaust in Lithuania in the Focus of Modern History Education and Justice". New qualitative approach was positively received by internationally recognised Holocaust scholars, educators and ITF representatives. Cooperation agreements on implementation of this program were signed between International Historical Commission, Yad Vashem and other institutions.
The implementation of the program is carried out in four major directions:
- Development of the Holocaust ant Tolerance Education Network. Today network consists of 56 Tolerance Education Centers (TEC) in secondary schools, NGOs and museums. TEC arranges educational activities for schools and local communities: teach about the Holocaust in classes by applying modern educational methods, organise conference, seminars, discussions on human rights and historical themes, commemorate victims of Holocaust, visit and look after the cemetery and memorial places.
- Comprehensive training of present and future teachers. Training programs are specially designed for teachers-multiplicators and other teachers. Training includes seminars in Lithuania and abroad and cower vide spectrum of question: Jewish history, Antisemitism and Nazi ideology, between two world wars, ghettoization, "final solution", reaction of the world, methodology of teaching the Holocaust, field trips, elements of modern educational science, and educational management.
- Preparation of national curriculum including methodological guidelines, teaching material and recourse books for teachers and students. The package will consists of the educational program, didactic, the list of recommended historical and fictional literature, visual materials (posters, maps, CDs, etc.)
- Initiation and coordination of the secondary school project activities by providing them with necessary knowledge in preparation, funding and implementation of school projects.
In 2007 after having special testing arranged by International Commission and Department of Education 56 teachers - multiplicators received the status of Consultant of Education about Holocaust.Certain parts of the program were supported by ITF.
Remembrance
National Holocaust Remembrance Day - September 23rd - was adopted by the Parliament in 1994. This tragic historical day every year receives special attention from state officials. Anniversary of liquidation of Vilnius ghetto in 1943 is usually marked by ceremonies in Paneriai with presence of state leaders, special Parliamentary sessions and other remembrance events.
Beside that, on the initiative of International Historical Commission and with active participation of TEC dozens of schools and hundreds of students all around Lithuania every year participate in the commemorative events showing respect for the victims of Holocaust. These public remembrance actions every year had different symbols (yellow butterfly, sunflower, hand, stone) and emphasis, but same strategic goal - contribute to the formation of the objective and critical as well as emotionally sensitive and value-oriented attitude of young Lithuanian generation towards the history of the native country.
Museums
There are two major museum exhibits in Lithuania devoted to the Holocaust.
The Vilnius Gaon Jewish State Museum was re-established in Vilnius in 1989. In 1990, a permanent exhibition "Catastrophe" on the history of the Holocaust in Lithuania was opened. There is a branch of the museum in Paneriai memorial - the site of the greatest mass murder of Jews In Lithuania during Second WW. Museum receives more than 20 000 visitors per year; many of them are students who visit museum as a part of organised school groups.
Kaunas' IX Fort Museum also is a symbol of the remembrance of the Holocaust victims. There in 1941-1944 the Nazis murdered about 50 000 Jews.
Museum receives about 100 000 visitors every year; students comprises 60 per cent of them.
Beside these two major exhibits there are regional museums in Kedainiai, Utena, Siauliai, Panevezys and other towns and part of their exhibition is devoted to the Jewish life and their tragic fate during the Holocaust. Also worth to mention Sugihara museum in Kaunas.
202 Holocaust sites are established in almost all areas of the country. Plagues in remembrance of the Holocaust victims are put in the most mass murder sites.
On the initiative of the International Historical Commission visits to the museums and field trips to the places related to the Jewish life before war and places of mass murder of Jews during the Holocaust are integral parts of teacher training programs and educational activities for students.
Research
During Soviet occupation Lithuania and its society were cut off from Western Europe and the process of restoration of historical justice. County ant its scholars could not participate in historical, legal, and political debates. Just after re-establishment of independence genuine Holocaust research become possible. Historians opened new tragic pages of our history and disclosed for many years neglected facts about genocide of Lithuanian Jews.
Much more professional Holocaust research become possible in 1998 after the establishment of International Historical Commission with internationally recognised historians on board and involvement of best Holocaust scholars. The large scale, comprehensive and intensive research was directed to examine in details the process of persecution of Jews in different periods of Nazi occupation, number of victims and with special emphasis to the role of institutions and local population as perpetrators and/or calibrators in the Holocaust.
Best Lithuanian and international scholars conducted fundamental research: prof. L.Truska and Dr. V.Vareikis analyse preconditions of the Holocaust and Antisemitism in pre war Lithuania; very precise and in detail accurate research by Dr. A.Bubnys on Holocaust in Lithuanian province and role of the Lithuanian police battalions in extermination of Jews; collective work of Prof.S.Suziedelis and Dr. Ch.Dieckmann on presecution and mass murder of Lithuanian Jews during summer and fall of 1941. These research works based on available archival documents from Lithuania, Germany, United States, Israel, Latvia, Russia, Ukraine present us the comprehensive picture of the Holocaust in Lithuania. They gives as the number of approximately 190 000 Lithuanian Jews killed during the Holocaust, 8 000 to 10 000 Polish Jews and 6000 Jews from other parts of Europe.
Research results are widely used for education purposes in teachers training seminars and history classes for students.
