Opening of the Samuel Bak Retrospective
December 29, 2011
On December 29th, Ambassador Derse participated in the opening of the Samuel Bak Retrospective Exhibit at the Tolerance Center. A child of Vilnius and Holocaust survivor, Samuel Bak ultimately settled in Boston, where he became renowned for his deeply personal and often haunting depictions of Jewish life and the Holocaust in Europe. In tribute to the country of his birth, Mr. Bak recently decided to donate dozens of his paintings to the Lithuanian Government, and their unveiling became one of the focal points in wrapping up Lithuania’s Year of Holocaust Remembrance in 2011.
In addition to Ambassador Derse, Prime Minister Kubilius, Culture Minister Gelunas, Museum Director Markas Zingeris and MP Emanuelis Zingeris all gave short speeches, and a brief message was read aloud from Mr. Bak, who described his memories of life in Vilnius, as well as how his childhood and life-story had influenced his art. The Prime Minister was also particularly eloquent, discussing how the previous year had seen such positive growth and discussion on issues related to the Jewish Community in Lithuania, and how proud he was to be a part of this progress.
