Greetings, Dear Friends, around the world!

Before the longer-form update (coming soon), our very urgent immediate request, in light of the Lithuanian government in 2026 going back on its word, and now again legislating state funds for a national convention center in the middle of the Old Vilna Jewish Cemetery, that would be surrounded by thousands of extant graves, where so many great sages and scholars are still buried, and which dates to the 15th century. This would never be happening to a cemetery of the majority population’s religion/nationality. The Seimas (parliament) will be making a determination in a matter of days. Let us help them do the right thing urgently.

Please send an email (even a very short one) to the relevant parliamentary committee at this email: priim@lrs.lt
with your own message or just this:
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Dear Republic of Lithuania Seimas Committee on Culture:

Please respect the EXISTING Jewish cemetery in Šnipiškės, where many thousands STILL lie buried. Please move the convention center to another venue where it can be celebrated by all the peoples hailing from the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, and by all people of good will everywhere. Thank you!
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Feel free to use or add your own wording, for example on your own historic ties to Lithuania or Eastern Europe or why it is important to you.

Please send us a copy at ruta@kapines.com so that we know about your letter! You can put us in CC or forward your letter, whichever you prefer.

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For updates on all the news, please see in www.DefendingHistory.com and esp. the section on the Old Vilna Jewish Cemetery:
https://defendinghistory.com/category/jewish-cemetery-piramont-snipiskes-shnipishok?order=desc
This important new phase in our/your years-long effort is getting underway thanks to the dedicated support from the Lithuanian-Jewish (/Christian-Jewish) partnership group ‘Respect Cemeteries’:
https://www.kapines.com/

Thank you and every good wish,

Ruta Bloshtein