A workshop for teachers, museum staff, and other educational professionals was held on 20 May at Balbieriškis Primary School.
Participants came from different Lithuanian towns to attend the conference, ‘Local projects on the history of Lithuanian Jews’. Stasys Valančius, Principal of Balbieriškis School, opened the event by welcoming the fact that it was taking place in a school that has been a long-standing partner of the International Commission. Ingrida Vilkienė, Education Programme Coordinator at the International Commission Secretariat, explained that the TOLI Institute in New York funds over 20 Lithuanian teachers and museum professionals each year to carry out small-budget projects on the history of Lithuanian Jewry. These projects vary in nature and focus on local Jewish history, involving students of all ages. However, in most cases, only the funding body, the TOLI Institute, is aware of them. This is why the idea of organising a conference to share project ideas was initiated.
Erez Golan, the guest of the conference and Deputy Ambassador and Consul of Israel, presented an intellectual game about the State of Israel, covering its history, culture, traditions, and relations with Lithuania. Later, the Israeli guest shared his insights into his country’s past and present, discussing important historical facts. Professor Alvydas Nikžentaitis, a historian and member of the International Commission, gave an overview of the changes that have taken place in 35 years of independent Lithuania, including changes in attitudes towards the Holocaust and in Holocaust education.
Reda Valančienė (Balbieriškis Primary School), Tomas Pažarauskas (Kaunas Juozas Grušas Art Gymnasium), Vaida Jankūnienė (Radviliškis Lizdeika Gymnasium), and Vaidotas Pakalniškis (Vilnius district, Lavoriškių Gymnasium), Arūnė Vaičiūnaitė – Levuškinienė (Marijampolė “Sūduvos” Gymnasium and Meilė Lukšienė Educational Centre) presented the projects they had implemented and shared their ideas for activities. Laimutė Jančiukienė and Deividas Dargužis, vice-mayors of Prienai municipality, who were present at the conference, expressed their satisfaction that teachers and museum staff organise activities on the topics of Jewish history, without avoiding the painful topic of the Holocaust.
The success of the event demonstrated that providing teachers with an opportunity to meet and exchange experiences leads to innovative project ideas and enhanced student engagement. Such gatherings are important for developing new, student-friendly approaches to teaching Jewish history.
The conference was organised by the Secretariat of the International Commission in cooperation with the Centre for Tolerance Education of Balbieriškis Primary School.
