OPENED TODAY, FRIDAY 16 DECEMBER 2011

First Jewish library in
Lithuania since WWII

“Failure is impossible,” is the title of the book that was held by Lithuania’s Minister of Culture, Arūnas Gelūnas (left), at the opening of the Vilnius Jewish Public Library Friday 16 December. Wyman Brent, the Californian book collector behind the amazing collection of more than 5.000 books, plus videos and CDs, says today is one of the happiest days in his life.
Photos: Aage Myhre.

Friday 16 December 2011 the new Vilnius Jewish Public Library, located at Gedimino Avenue 24, 2nd floor, in Vilnius was officially opened. Guests from USA, Israel, European Parliament, Seimas (Lithuania’s parliament) of the Republic of Lithuania, Government of the Republic of Lithuania, Lithuanian Ministry of Culture, Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and others were participating.

On Saturday 17 December 2011, from 11:00 to 17:00 the library will be open to the general public, giving everyone an opportunity to view the premises, the collection of books and photographs, the exhibits, and a presentation of a slide-show giving a retrospective of the establishment of the library. Visitors will be greeted and will have the opportunity to speak with the initiators of the library.

Panel at the press conference (l/r): Davia Kiminaite, Wyman Brent,
Miša Jakobas, Petras Zurlys, Arūnas Gelūnas and Petras Austrevičius.

Daiva Kiminaite is now Head of the Vilnius Jewish Public Library

The composer Anatolijus Šenderovas with Wyman Brent.

Žilvinas Beliauskas (left) and Petras Zurlys have both done a great job
for the realization of the library.

Read more…

Read also:
The California Baptist who collected 5000 Jewish books and brought them all to Lithuania