Commemoration of Lithuanian Righteous Among the Nations honored in Šiauliai

On March 15, 2026, a solemn commemoration of the Day of Rescuers of Lithuanian Jews took place at the Righteous Among the Nations Square. Those gathered were greeted by the Chairwoman of the Jewish Community of Šiauliai County Rašella Galinienė, community member Kamilė Šeraitė-Gogelienė, Member of the Seimas Ingrida Šimonytė, former Member of the Seimas Stasys Tumėnas, and other participants of the event. During the commemoration, the names of the Righteous Among the Nations were read aloud, flowers were laid at the monument bearing their names, and memorial candles were lit. The Righteous Among the Nations were honored with a moment of silence.
Organizer – Šiauliai Cultural Center. Partners – Jewish Community of Šiauliai County, Jewish Community of the Šiauliai Region. Friends – Šiauliai Gegužiai Progymnasium, Šiauliai “Saulėtekis” Gymnasium.

At the end of 2022, by decision of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania, March 15 – the Day of Rescuers of Lithuanian Jews – was added to the list of commemorative days. This date was not chosen by chance: on March 15, 1966, the Yad Vashem Institute in Israel granted Vilnius University librarian Ona Šimaitė the title of Righteous Among the Nations.

During the years of Nazi occupation, Ona Šimaitė, having permission to enter the Vilnius Ghetto under the pretext of returning books, brought essential items into the ghetto, maintained contact with imprisoned people, and when leaving, rescued manuscripts, valuable publications, and even people. For helping Jews, she was arrested and sent to the Dachau concentration camp. This year marks 60 years since she was awarded the title of Righteous Among the Nations.

During the commemoration of the Day of Rescuers of Lithuanian Jews, those gathered were also addressed by former Member of the Seimas Stasys Tumėnas, who made a significant contribution to the inclusion of this date in the list of commemorative days.

“Together with the Jewish community, we made great efforts to establish this Righteous Among the Nations Square in Šiauliai. I am also proud to have contributed to the creation of the Day of Rescuers of Lithuanian Jews. It has always been important for me to remind society about the people who, risking their lives, saved Jews,” said S. Tumėnas.

During the event, the names of the Righteous Among the Nations were read aloud. The first names were invited to be voiced by Member of the Seimas Ingrida Šimonytė, and later this mission was entrusted to young residents of Šiauliai – school students of the city.

Events dedicated to the Day of Rescuers of Lithuanian Jews in Šiauliai will continue on March 16. At 6 p.m., a one-day exhibition dedicated to the memory of children murdered during the Holocaust will be presented at the “Laiptai” Gallery of the Šiauliai Cultural Center, along with a literary-musical evening titled “Song of Memory.”

The musical program will be performed by violinist Dalia Dėdinskaitė, cellist Gleb Pyšniak, and actor Giedrius Arbačiauskas. The evening will be moderated by writer and public figure Sergejus Kanovičius, who will share personal memories about his father, the birth of his work, and his spiritual connection with Vilnius.

More photos can be found on the “Laiptai” Gallery Facebook account: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=LaiptuGalerija&set=a.1627079305710084

Photo by Liubov Yarmoshenko.

Information provided by Kristina Alseikė, event organizer of the Exhibition Department of the Šiauliai Cultural Center, tel. +370 658 80 507, email kristina.alseike@siauliukc.lt.