Exhibition “Vilna Ghetto posters” opened in Johannesburg to commemorate the Day of Remembrance for Jewish Victims of Genocide in Lithuania
Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania in Pretoria in cooperation with the Johannesburg Holocaust and Genocide Centre and Vilna Gaon Museum of Jewish History presented the temporary exhibition “Vilna Ghetto posters” in an event held on 18 September 2022 in Johannesburg to commemorate the Day of Remembrance for Jewish Victims of Genocide in Lithuania.
Mr Dainius Junevičius, Ambassador of Lithuania to South Africa, in his opening remarks said: “As we pay respect to the two hundred thousand of Lithuanian Jews, our compatriots, lost for our country, I want to ensure you that Lithuania continues to remember and reflect on what has happened and why it happened. The pledges we are making to never forget the Holocaust translate into concrete actions targeting a wider society, but first, the younger generation.”
Director of the Johannesburg Holocaust and Genocide Centre Ms Tali Nates spoke in depth about the history of Vilna Ghetto and impact of communal events on the spirit of its prisoners.
Award-winning singer, songwriter and performer Zola, daughter of actress and singer Chayele Rosenthal, known as the wunderkind and the songbird of the Vilna Ghetto, presented a very emotional narration of the musical performances in the Vilna Ghetto. “The plays, musicals and satirical revues, especially those written by Leyb Rosenthal (brother of Chayele and uncle of Zola), depicted Ghetto life with poignant humor, grew to be very popular. They served to provide much needed relief and hope for the rapidly dwindling, fear-filled population, for many of whom, attending the theatrical shows in the large auditorium gave them the only opportunity to gather as a community. Survivors remembered the theatre as a “miracle” ”.
Exhibition from the archival collection of posters from the Vilna Ghetto from the Vilna Gaon Museum of Jewish History will be on display at the Johannesburg Holocaust Memorial Centre through the month of October. These unique posters from 1942–1943, represent the resilience and spirit of those in the Vilna Ghetto, who continued to celebrate life.
