An international seminar for Lithuanian teachers and education professionals was held in Vilnius from June 15 to 19.
In June 2026, a five-day seminar titled “Teaching About the Holocaust and Human Rights Violations” brought together 30 teachers and education professionals (museum curators, librarians) from across Lithuania. The seminar was organized by the TOLI Institute (USA) in cooperation with the Secretariat of the International Commission. The event took place at the Lithuanian Jewish Community.
Seminar participants listened to insights from Professor Saulius Sužiedėlis (USA), a researcher with the International Commission, on antisemitism in Lithuania before World War II, the preconditions for the Holocaust, and its course, as well as lectures by Dr. Vadim Altskan (USA) on the Holocaust in Europe and the establishment of ghettos in Eastern Europe. Art historian Dr. Vilma Gradinskaitė introduced the concept of “Litvak,” as well as the territories where they lived and their culture and traditions. During the methodological sessions (led by lecturer Oana Bajka), documents on human rights, as well as issues related to the distortion and denial of the Holocaust, were analyzed. Participants had a unique opportunity to meet Faina Kukliansky, chairwoman of the Lithuanian Jewish Community, who recounted her family’s survival during the Holocaust. Seminar guest Silvia Foti spoke about her research to answer the question: Who was her grandfather, Jonas Noreika, really?
During the seminar, participants visited the site of the former ghetto in Vilnius’s Old Town and the Paneriai Memorial. They also had the opportunity to learn about Samuel Bak’s life and work by visiting the Samuel Bak Museum.
The seminar, organized by the TOLI Institute in cooperation with the Secretariat of the International Commission in Lithuania, was held for the eighth time. More than 250 educators have participated in these seminars. The 2026 seminar was partially funded by the Goodwill Foundation.
