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The Minister of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania Mr. Arūnas Gelūnas, visited the State of Israel on September 19- 21, 2011.

On September 20 the meeting with Minister of Culture and Sport of the State of Israel Mrs. Limor Livnat took place. During the meeting, the bilateral cooperation between two countries has been discussed. The Minister A. Gelūnas gave the broad presentation of the projects which are implemented by the Lithuanian Government dedicated to perpetuation of the Jewish heritage. The Minister Livnat expressed her appreciation towards the steps taken by the Lithuanian Government in implementing the Holocaust Victims Commemoration Program.  The Minister A. Gelūnas invited Mrs. Livnat to visit Lithuania in 2012. The both parties agreed to extend bilateral agreement on cultural cooperation.

On the same day the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania A. Gelūnas met with Yad Vashem chairman Avner Shalev and paid tribute to the victims of the Holocaust by laying a wreath in the Hall of Remembrance.

During the meeting, the Minister of Culture A. Gelūnas said that relations between Lithuania and Israel are very good. According to the Minister, the bilateral relations are very close and cooperation is being developed in various fields. Yad Vashem chairman A. Shalev said that Yad Vashem seeks to strengthen the cooperation with Lithuania. And the best proof of it is the signing the cooperation agreement with the Lithuanian State Archives Department.

During the meeting, A. Shalev expressed regrets that due to the recent publications in the Israeli press the official representatives of Lithuania did not participate in the event of Yad Vashem to commemorate the Day of the victims of Lithuanian Jews Genocide.

On 20 September evening minister A. Gelūnas also took part at the special event dedicated to the Remembrance Day of the Victims of the Holocaust in Lithuania in Israeli Diaspora Museum. During the event a virtual exhibition of “The Rescued Lithuanian Jewish Child Tells about the Shoah” was presented. The chairman of Israeli – Lithuanian Parliamentary Friendship Group, MK Zeev Bielski and members of Lithuanian community took part at this event.

The Minister A. Gelūnas also had meetings with the representatives of Jerusalem Cinematheque, Jerusalem International Book Fair, Suzanne Dellal Dance Centre and “Cameri” Theatre. The issues of strengthening of further cooperation have been discussed.