Katharina von Schnurbein, European Commission Coordinator on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life, visited the Jewish community in Lithuania and met with state actors and civil society.
At the invitation of the Jewish Community of Lithuania, the Coordinator celebrated Rosh HaShanah at the community center in Vilna. She paid tribute to the victims of the Shoah at the Vilna and Kaunas Ghetto, the Lietukis Garage, and the 9th Fort. She visited places preserving the memory of Righteous among the nations, and Jewish heritage sites.
Ms. von Schnurbein also addressed the Litvak Culture Forum, which took place as part of the Kaunas European Capital of Culture 2022, where she stated:
"Kaunas as the European Capital of Culture is unthinkable without its Jewish heritage. Kaunas shines out to Litvaks around the world who have come here from South Africa, the United States, Israel and from many other places. For almost 40 years (since 1985), the European Union has designated capitals of culture, but probably never before the Jewish heritage of a city has been as much in the spotlight and indeed as uncircumventable."
With regards to Lithuania’s commitment to adopting a national strategy on combating antisemitism, discussions took place with the government and administration around the implementation of the EU Strategy on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life.
She met with the President Mr. Gitanas Nausėda and his Chief Adviser on Foreign Affairs, the President of the Seimas, Ms. Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen, Prime Minister Ms. Ingrida Šimonytė, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Gabrielius Landsbergis, the Cabinet of the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport, and the Israeli Ambassador to Lithuania H.E. Ms. Hadas Wittenberg Silverstein.
With the Deputy Mayor of Vilniius, the Mayor of Kaunas and the Mayor of the Kaišiadoriai Region, Ms. von Schnurbein discussed about actions and projects that could be developed and implemented at the city and local level in the fight against antisemitism and the promotion of Jewish life and culture.
Moreover, she visited the Genocide and Resistance Research Centre of Lithuania and the Sugihara House and held meetings with their Directors.
The mission was organised in close cooperation with Mr. Marius Vaščega, European Commission Representative in Lithuania.
© Pictures: JP.lt; J.Azanovas, MFA Lithuania; @Kaunas2022; President of Seimas office, PM Lithuania
