This call was made by the temporary trustee of affairs, Tamirs Waser, on Thursday at the site of the mass killing of Jews in Paneriai, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the liquidation of the Vilnius ghetto.
“It is important to ensure the quick implementation of the commission’s decisions, the most noteworthy thing is to remove the name and image of the known murderer Juozas Krikštaponis from the memorial in Ukmerge”, T. Vaseris told the audience.
In June, the so-called de-Sovietization commission recognized the monument to J. Krikštaponiis in the Ukmergė district as promoting totalitarian, authoritarian regimes. The decision on the fate of the monument should have been taken by the head of the Genocide and Resistance Research Center of the Lithuanian population, but he decided to first apply to the General Prosecutor’s Office in order to cancel the volunteer status of the partisan soldier.
The center received criticism for this decision, and finally, in mid-August, it proposed to the municipality of Ukmergė to leave the memorial stone, but to remove the partisan bas-relief and inscriptions from it, and to hang a commemorative plaque indicating that the memorial is dedicated to all the fallen partisans of the Vytis district. The municipality has not made a decision yet. She has to do that by mid-November.
In his speech, the representative of the US embassy also reminded that in 1941, about 40,000 people were killed in Paneri. Jews, and the absolute majority of the remaining inhabitants of the Vilnius ghetto were killed in 1943, when the Nazis liquidated the ghetto.
“And in this context, unfortunately, some Lithuanians voluntarily participated in the Holocaust,” he asserted.
T. Vaseris welcomed the decision taken a few years ago to remove the commemorative plaque to officer Jonas Noreika-General Vėtra from the Vrublevskii Library of the Vilnius Academy of Sciences, expressing the hope that it “will not be returned when the renovation is completed”.
He also emphasized that out of dozens of synagogues that existed before the war, only one remained in Vilnius, which is the “most eloquent reality” when it comes to the scale of the Holocaust in the country.
The representative of the US Embassy also welcomed the decision taken by Lithuania last year to allocate 37 million. compensations to Jews for personal property expropriated by the Nazis and Soviets, political steps in creating the so-called de-Sovietization commission, which also decides on the removal of memorials to persons who served the Nazi and Soviet regimes.
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#representative #Embassy #calls #removal #basrelief #Krikštaponis #Ukmerge
**Interview with Tamirs Waser, Trustee of Affairs**
**Interviewer**: Thank you for joining us today, Mr. Waser. You recently spoke at a significant event in Paneriai marking the 80th anniversary of the liquidation of the Vilnius ghetto. Can you tell us why this commemoration was particularly important?
**Tamirs Waser**: Thank you for having me. This commemoration is profoundly significant because it serves as a somber reminder of the atrocities that occurred during the Holocaust, particularly the mass killing of around 40,000 Jews in Paneriai. It’s crucial that we acknowledge and honor the memory of those who suffered and perished, ensuring their stories are never forgotten.
**Interviewer**: In your speech, you called for the removal of Juozas Krikštaponis’ name and image from the memorial in Ukmerge, as recognized by the de-Sovietization commission. Can you elaborate on why you believe this action is necessary?
**Tamirs Waser**: Absolutely. The legacy of Juozas Krikštaponis is deeply controversial; he is recognized as a known murderer. To have his name and image associated with a memorial dedicated to partisans is inappropriate and disrespectful, especially when it promotes the glorification of totalitarian regimes. It’s essential for us to confront the past with honesty and integrity, honoring only those who truly fought for freedom rather than those who participated in atrocities.
**Interviewer**: There has been some pushback regarding the decisions made by the Genocide and Resistance Research Center. Can you share your thoughts on their recent proposal regarding the memorial stone?
**Tamirs Waser**: The situation is indeed complex. While the proposal to remove the partisan bas-relief and any inscriptions while still honoring all partisans does show some sensitivity, it still falls short. We need a decisive move away from glorifying individuals like Krikštaponis entirely and instead focus on a commemoration that conveys the true history and values of resistance against oppression.
**Interviewer**: What message do you hope to convey to the local municipality regarding your call for these changes?
**Tamirs Waser**: I hope to convey the urgency of this matter. The municipality holds the power to make a meaningful decision that reflects our current values as a society that seeks truth and reconciliation. By removing all glorification of figures like Krikštaponis, we send a clear message that we value justice and remembrance over the glorification of the past. It’s critical for our collective healing and to ensure that history does not repeat itself.
**Interviewer**: Thank you for sharing your insights with us today, Mr. Waser. It’s clear that these discussions are essential for both honoring the past and shaping a better future.
**Tamirs Waser**: Thank you for having me. It’s a conversation that we must continue to have.
