Prime Minister Unveils a Symbol Commemorating the Jews of Žagarė
Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas, together with the representatives of Žagarė community, unveiled the Memory Chair – a symbolic tribute to all the Jews of the region: those who perished in the Holocaust, who came from Žagarė but left for various reasons, and whose roots remain connected to Žagarė.
"A mature society does not forget its history, nor does it tear out any of its pages, however painful they may be. The chapter of the Holocaust is unimaginably tragic and harrowing. Yet it is important to recognise that memory can also offer hope. Those who were rescued, who managed to survive, can now return to Žagarė – a town that remembers, accepts, and reflects – and find here their roots, their place. Today, we unveil a meaningful symbol that strengthens hope and reinforces our commitment that nothing like what happened shall ever happen again," said Prime Minister G. Paluckas.
The Prime Minister noted that the Žagarė community sets an example in fostering and commemorating historical memory. The initiative to mark the homes where Jewish families once lived was born here, along with the creation of a route highlighting the town's Jewish heritage sites.
G. Paluckas expressed his gratitude to the creators and initiators of the Memory Chair dedicated to Žagarė’s Jews: the author – blacksmith Milvydas Giedraitis, the Žemaitija Protected Areas Directorate, the Žagarė community, and all those who contributed.