Commemorative events of the 75th anniversary of ‘Visas for life’ issued by Vice-Consul Mr. Chiune Sugihara organized by the Embassy of Japan
Jews waiting in front of the Japanese Consulate in Kaunas.
This year marks the 75th anniversary of ‘Visas for life.’ In 1940, Mr. Chiune Sugihara, who was Vice-Consul of the Consulate of Japan at Kaunas from 1939 to 1940, in cooperation with Dutch
Honorary Consul Mr. Jan Zwartendijk, issued Japanese visas to Jewish people and saved thousands of lives.
In 1940, even after he closed the Consulate of Japan, Mr. Chiune Sugihara continued to issue ‘Visas for life’ at Metropolis Hotel between 28th August and 4th September. On 4th September when he left Lithuania, he still issued ‘Visas for life’ right up until the point his train departed from Kaunas station.
Taking this opportunity, in order to share their courageous achievement in Lithuania, the Embassy of Japan in Lithuania will hold events on 4th of September to commemorate this anniversary.
The Details of the commemorative events are as follows:
4th of September
10:00 Unveiling ceremony for the commemorative plaque in front of the Metropolis Hotel, Daukanto str. 21, Kaunas.
10:30 Dance Performance by the AURA dance company (Japanese dancer Ms. Kyrie Oda) at Metropolis Hotel, Daukanto str. 21, Kaunas
11:00 Unveiling ceremony for the commemorative plaque at the platform as well as, announcement of the release of a commemorative envelope and stamp dedicated to Mr. Chiune Sugihara and Mr. Jan Zwartendijk to mark the 75th anniversary of ‘Visas for Life,’ at the Kaunas Railway Station, M.K. Čiurlionio str. 16, Kaunas.
12:00-15:00 Presentation of three documentary films at the Kaunas Railway Station. The film titles are: “He defied the Tide of Time. Chiune Sugihara and the Saving of the Six Thousand”, “The Place Called Heaven” and “Sugihara Survivor Message from Mr. Leo Melamed”. This event is free of charge. At the event of nowJapan, these documentary films will be also shown at nowJapan on 26th and 27th of September. The entrance fee is required for nowJapan.
14:00 Speeches by ‘Visas for Life Survivors’ at Sugihara House (by invitation only). Mrs. Nina Admoni from Israel, and Mr. Marcel Weyland from Australia were saved their lives to share their memory about Mr. Sugihara and their stories after obtaining Sugihara visas.
4th to 24th of September
The Exhibition of Panels about Mr. Chiune Sugihara and Mr. Jan Zwartendijk, at Kaunas Railway Station
The commemorative envelope and stamp dedicated to Chiune Sugihara
Information about documentary movies about Chiune Sugihara
