latest embassy news

Ceremony to Mark Uzupis Jewish Cemetery Restoration

November 16, 004

On Friday, 19 November 2004, Steven E. Some, member of the United States Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad, will be visiting Vilnius to mark the completion of the first phase of the Uzupis Jewish Cemetery Restoration Project.  

Mr. Some will be available for interviews about the Commission's work in Lithuania and elsewhere in the region.  To request an interview with Mr. Some, please call (370) 5 2660330.

On Friday, 19 November 2004 at 09:30 the Jewish Community of Lithuania will host a ceremony at the 2nd floor conference room, Pylimo g. 4.  Following the ceremony, at approximately 11:15, there will be a visit to the cemetery site on Olandų g.

The Užupis Jewish Cemetery Restoration Project seeks to restore the historic Jewish cemetery in Vilnius' Uzupis district.  Soviet authorities destroyed the cemetery about 40 years ago, removing headstones and using them in city public works.  The project to put the cemetery into order is a collaborative effort of the Vilnius City Municipality, the Jewish Community of Lithuania, and the United States government.  The United States has contributed to the restoration project through the U.S. Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad.  

For further information on the Uzupis Jewish Cemetery Restoration Project, please contact Josifas Parasonis from the Jewish Community of Lithuania at (370) 686 43008 or Grita Ambraziejūtė from the Vilnius City Municipality at (370) 5 2112138.