16 people were recognized as Righteous among the Nations in the ceremony that took place on April 21 at 4.30 pm in Vilnius University This year the awards for Righteous among the Nations were organized by the International Historical Commission together with the Embassy of Israel, the Vilna Gaon Jewish State Museum and the Jewish community of Lithuania.
“With their courageous and noble action they were saving not only persecuted Jews, they were also saving human’s dignity that was lost during the Holocaust”, – said Mr. Chenas Ivri, the ambassador of Israel for Lithuania and Latvia.
In the ceremony this year also participated Mr. Isaac Herzog, the minister of Israel of Welfare and Social Services as well as the delegation of “Litvakai” that is visiting Lithuania. “I came from holy city to thank everyone personally and to convey the gratitude of the state of Israel. Your work saved the face of your nations humanity”, – said Mr. Isaac Herzog, minister of Israel of Welfare and Social Services to the Righteous.
“Behind the wall of numbers they see the particular faces of victims, executioner, observer as well as the rescuers. We have to know and to remember these faces”, – in the award ceremony said Mr. Ronaldas Račinskas, the Executive Director of the International Historical Commission.
Mr. Chenas Ivri, the ambassador of Israel for Lithuania and Latvia thanked to the International Historical Commission for organizing the ceremony to award the Righteous among the Nations, also thanked to pupils and teachers of Viršuliškių secondary school for participating in this project. The ambassador also stressed that he appreciate the work of the International Historical Commission in the field of Holocaust researches, especially in the topic of education – to arrange trainings for teachers and the work of Tolerance education centers at schools. “The collaboration that started in 2005 between the embassy and the International Historical Commission continues, for example, arranging the award ceremonies of Righteous among the Nations where pupils and teachers participate”, – he said.
More the information in the website of the International Commission: http://www.komisija.lt/en/naujiena.php?id=1240985482
