The Embassy and the Wilson Center organized a discussion about Jews and Lithuanians
On September 16, in preparation to commemorate the Vilna Gaon and Lithuanian Jewish History year in 2020, the Embassy of Lithuania in Washington DC together with the Wilson Center organized a discussion on the Lithuanian and Jewish relations today and 40 years ago. In the spotlight of the event was Tomas Venclova, a Lithuanian poet, intellectual, and professor emeritus at the Yale University and experts from the US Holocaust Memorial Museum Vadim Altskan and Ina Navazelskis.
In the welcoming speech, Lithuanian Ambassador Rolandas Kriščiūnas noted that Jewish community has been an integral part of Lithuanian scientific, economic, and cultural life since 1500s. He emphasised that in order to strengthen the relationship among the Jewish, Lithuanian and American communities, a dialog and an open discussion is necessary, and it shall also include the most painful pages of history.
Professor Tomas Venclova and Vadim Altskan shared their memories and insights about the immense influence of Litvak history to Lithuania. They spoke about what is shaping the relations between the Jews and Lithuanians today and what shaped those relations in the past; emphasised the significance of education about the Holocaust tragedy.
The relationship between the Jews and Lithuanians is interconnected and have a very rich, and peaceful history, which unfortunately was marked by the tragedy of the Holocaust. Prof. Venclova also noted the historical multiculturalism of Vilnius and Lithuania, stressed the importance of Jewish Vilnius not only in the past but also for the future.
The discussion with Tomas Venclova was organized under the auspices of the „Litvak Days in the USA“, which aims to introduce the cultural and historical heritage of the Lithuanian Jews to the American community.
The Lithuanian Embassy is thankful to the partners of the event: Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and Lithuanian Culture Institute
