News

On 9 October 2015, the Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Mantvydas Bekešius paid tribute to the victims of the mass murder of Jews in the Liaudiškių forest and attended a ceremony of unveiling of the monument to the murdered Jews of Šeduva.

“The history of Lithuanian Jews, Litvaks, is an extremely valuable heritage in our country. It’s up to all of us to protect, nurture, and pass it on to future generations,” said Lithuania’s Foreign Vice-Minister.

According to him, the ‘Lost Shtetl’ project perpetuates the memory of the Jews of Šeduva, but it has a much deeper symbolic significance – it sets an example of respect for the Litvaks that resided in Lithuanian cities and towns. Undoubtedly, this will inspire also other municipalities, non-governmental organizations and private philanthropic donors to take initiative and bring back stories of life of Lithuanian Jews beyond death. The scope of the project includes construction of the ‘Lost Shtetl’ museum in Šeduva, the making of a documentary film and the drafting of a historical monograph.

The offspring of the Šeduva Jewry from the USA and Australia, as well as Pinchas Nol, the last Litvak born in Šeduva, took part in the commemorative event. The event was also attended by representatives of the Government of Lithuania, the Jewish Community of Lithuania and foreign Ambassadors.

The event was organized by the Šeduva Jewish Memorial Fund in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania.