-->

Commemorative events for the 75th anniversary of Visas for Life

On the 4th of September the Commemorative events for the 75th anniversary of Visas for Life took place. In 1940 two brave diplomats Japanese Vice-Consul Chiune Sugihara and Dutch Consul Jan Zwartendijk residing in Kaunas issued lifesaving visas for thousands of Jews. Two commemorative plaques for Chiune Sugihara were unveiled: one on Metropolis hotel where he was issuing visas before leaving Kaunas and one in the Train Station where he continued giving visas for Jews right until his departure on September 4, 1940.

The events were organised by Japanese Embassy with participation of Ambassador of Japan H. E. Toyoei Shigeeda, Ambassador of the Netherlands H. E. Gijsbert Hendrik Christiaan van der Lingen, Deputy Ambassador of Israel Mr. Yehuda Gidron, Viceminister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Mantvydas Bekešius, Mayor of Kaunas City Mr. Visvaldas Matijošaitis, Deputy Mayor Mr. Simonas Kairys, Chairman of the Board of Foundation Diplomats for Life Mr. Ramūnas Garbaravičius. The events were honoured by participation of Visas for Life survivors Mrs. Nina Admoni and Mr. Marcel Weyland.