In 2022, the Kaunas European Capital of Culture will invite Litvaks scattered throughout the world to return, even if only briefly, to their ancestral land and gather together at the Litvak Culture Forum.

Over several days, this event will feature a rich cultural programme and discussions with renowned artists, academics, and representatives of the cultural world. We’ll discuss the Litvak identity, memory, and cultural role in the creation of possible visions of a future dialogue.

We’ll ask such questions as:

What does it mean to be a Litvak and what does Lithuania mean to different generations of Litvaks today?

How can art and culture help us understand history and encourage openness and dialogue?

What role do Litvaks play in Lithuania’s historical and collective memory?

 

The development of the forum’s programme benefited from the contributions of a respected advisory council of Litvaks and Lithuanians and renowned professionals from various fields:

 

Antony Polonsky, author, Emeritus Professor of Holocaust Studies at Brandeis University (South Africa, United Kingdom).

Peter Salovey, President and Chris Argyris Professor of Psychology, Yale University, Honorary Doctor of Vytautas Magnus University (United States).

James E. Young, author and distinguished University Professor Emeritus, Founding Director of the Institute for Holocaust, Genocide, and Memory Studies, University of Massachusetts Amherst (United States).

Tsvia Walden, psycholinguist, Professor at Ben Gurion University of the Negev (Israel).

Zev Krengel, Vice President of South African Jewish Board of Deputies (South Africa).

Šarūnas Liekis, dean and Professor of School of Political Science and Diplomacy at Vytautas Magnus University (Lithuania).

Darius Degutis, diplomat, former Ambassador of the Republic of Lithuania to Poland, Israel, and Republic of South Africa (Lithuania).

Misha Jakobas, founding Director of Vilnius Sholom Aleichem ORT Gymnasium, mentor at Vytautas Magnus University lyceum  “Sokratus” (Lithuania).

Gercas Žakas, Chairman of Kaunas Jewish Community (Lithuania).

 

Venue of the event: The Great Hall of Vytautas Magnus University, S. Daukanto str. 28

 

IMPORTANT. Only with registration in advance, see more: www.kaunas2022.eu/litvakforum  

 

Organizers: Kaunas 2022

Partners: Vytautas Magnus University, Kaunas Jewish Community