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The Lithuanian government on Tuesday approved a program of the Vilnius Ghetto Memorial year, which includes a congress of Litvaks from around the globe and a solemn tribute ceremony.

"There is a plan to hold a global congress of Litvaks in September, a conference and, of course, a solemn ceremony to mark 70 years since the liquidation of the Vilnius ghetto," Remigijus Motuzas, first deputy chancellor of the prime minister, said at the government's meeting.

According to the project, the fourth congress of world Litvaks dedicated to the 70-year anniversary of Vilnius ghetto liquidation, should take place on Sept. 20-25. The week would also include a solemn ceremony to pay tribute to Holocaust victims in the Paneriai Memorial, awards of Life-Saving Cross at the President's Office and a Holocaust discussion for diplomats residing in Lithuania.

The program also features memorial events in St. Catherine's Church and the Vilnius Lele Theater, a concert of Yiddish songs. Furthermore, a movie dedicated to Japanese diplomat Chiune Sugihara who rescued Jews during the war in Lithuania will also be presented.

Before the war, Jews made about a third of the population of Vilnius, which was a key center of the Jewish culture. Established in the Old Town of Vilnius in September of 1941, the Vilnius ghetto was liquidated on Sept. 23-24 of 1943.

About 90 percent of Lithuania's pre-war Jewish population of about 208,000 were killed during the war. Nazis were often assisted by their local Lithuanian collaborators in the massacres of Jews. Some 830 Lithuanians have been recognized Righteous Among Nations for rescuing Jews.

Source: BNS