VMU to Host Conference “Considering History, Understanding Memory”
Photographer George Kadish/Zvi Kadushin outside the liberated Kovno ghetto, 1944 (Courtesy of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum/George Kadish)
On 8-9 July, the international conference “Considering History, Understanding Memory” will be held at the Senate Hall of Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) (S. Daukanto g. 28, Kaunas) to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the liquidation of the Kovno Ghetto.
The conference will feature Lithuanian and international scholars who will explore topics related to history, political science, social sciences, theatre, and the arts. The event will also focus on discussions about the life of Lithuanian Jews before and during the Holocaust.
Kovno Ghetto prisoners by the ghetto gate, 1941-1943 (Photo by George Kadish/Zvi Kadushin, from the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Archives, courtesy of the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research).
According to one of the event’s organisers, Lisa Storer, a PhD student in history at VMU, the conference aims to show the public the significant role the Kovno Ghetto played in Nazi-occupied Lithuania and to remind us of the stories and experiences of those who were persecuted there.
“The main purpose of the Kovno Ghetto was to dehumanise the imprisoned Jews as much as possible before condemning them to death. This year, as we commemorate the 80th anniversary of the liquidation of the Kovno Ghetto, we remember not only the reality of those imprisoned there, their humiliations, but also the actions of those who contributed to the genocide of Jews in Lithuania,” says Storer.
Two brothers in the Kovno Ghetto, February 1944 (Photo by George Kadish/Zvi Kadushin, courtesy of Shraga Wainer/United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Archives).
Misha Hofmekler conducts the Kovno Ghetto orchestra, 1944 (Photo by George Kadish/Zvi Kadushin, courtesy of Robert W. Hofmekler/United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Archives).
According to the historian, the conference title “Thinking History, Understanding Memory” invites discussions on history and the gaps in collective memory – why they occur and whether they are sufficiently addressed.
“Very often, collective memory disregards what is unpleasant for us – we tend to suppress the negative memories of our ethnic group or nation. We must continually discuss why some people choose to dehumanise and destroy others who differ from us.
During the conference, we will seek to address these often uncomfortable topics. Speakers and discussants will explore the most honest and accurate ways to discuss the relationship between the Holocaust and Lithuanian history and memory. We will also discuss how perceptions of the shared history between Lithuanian Jews and Lithuanians are changing,” says Storer.
After the liquidation of the Kovno Ghetto, August 1944 (Photo by George Kadish/Zvi Kadushin, courtesy of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Archives).
Speakers at the event will include scholars and artists from the US, the UK, Lithuania, and other countries, including Dr. Tobias Brinkmann (Pennsylvania State University, US), artist Jenny Kagan, film director Saulius Beržinis, Dr. Eliyana Adler, and others.
The conference will also be attended by the Israeli Ambassador to Lithuania, Hadas Wittenberg Silverstein; the US Ambassador to Lithuania, Kara McDonald; the German Ambassador to Lithuania, Dr. Cornelius Zimmerman; and the Chairperson of the Kaunas Jewish Community, Gercas Žakas.
The event will include a visit to the Sugihara House Museum, a screening of the film “Kovno Ghetto: A Buried History”, and a visit to the Historical Presidential Palace of the Republic of Lithuania in Kaunas. An exhibition of photographs by George Kadish, a witness to ghetto life, will be featured throughout the conference.
After the conference, on 10 July at 3 p.m., a memorial concert will be held in VMU Aula Magna (Gimnazijos g. 7, Kaunas).
The conference will take place at the VMU Senate Hall (S. Daukanto g. 28, Kaunas)
Detailed programme of the event
The event is open to the public.
The language of the event is English.
The event will also be webcast. You can find the webcast link here.
Organisers: Vytautas Magnus University and the Sugihara Foundation “Diplomats for Life”.
Organising committee: Dr. Linas Venclauskas, Dr. Ina Pukelytė, Dr. Daiva Price, Shifra Poupko, Lisa Storer.
Please note that the event may be filmed and/or photographed and you may be featured in event photographs or videos, which could be published in various media outlets.
