On the 16^th of November, 2009, the event, dedicated to the commemoration of the International Day of Tolerance took place at the Tolerance Centre of the Vilna Gaon State Jewish Museum.  During this event we were presenting the documentary outline „Creative Accuracy: the Scholars Speak“ (2006). In the documentary, scholars present Ridley Scott‘s feature film „Kingdom of Heaven“ (2005). In “Kingdom of Heaven” the director focuses on the half-forgotten Kingdom of Jerusalem in the XII century, when a fragile peace was kept between Muslims, Christians and Jews and how quickly this world can be led to destruction. Graphic works by Ieva Šadzevičienė, inspired by this film, were also exhibited during the event.

Mr. Donal Denham, Irish Ambassador in Lithuania  and Belarus and Ieva Šadzevičienė, Head of Tolerance Center

The International Day of Tolerance was commerated together with the Embassy of Ireland in Vilnius. Mr.Donal Denham, Irish Ambassador in Lithuania  and Belarus, delivered the speach during this event. He emphasized the importance of the ideas of tolerance, which are so actual for Ireland. As Ireland had to survive the long years of discord and conflicts with Britain. And only with the joint efforts of Irish and British diplomats peace finaly prevails in the country.

Mr. Markas Zingeris, director of the Vilna Gaon State Jewish Museum greeted the audience and accented the importance of the educational projects for tolerance, dedicated to teach the society.

Ms. Ieva Šadzevičienė, Head of the Centre of Tolerance, started her speach with the words from the 1995 UNESCO declaration on the principles of Tolerance: “Tolerance is a value in consequence of which peace prevails and the culture of war is replaced by the culture of peace”. I.Šadzevičienė explained the theme of the evening: “The Tolerance Centre of Vilna Gaon Jewish State Museum dedicates this commemoration for the possibility to create “a better world”. At least for one night, but with a strong belief that one day, the ideas of Tolerance will eventually spread through the world.  This evening is named “A Better Word”, according to the idea, expressed in the prominent directors, Ridley Scott movie “Kingdom of Heaven”. I suppose many of you have seen it. In this movie Ridley Scott focuses on the half-forgotten Kingdom of Jerusalem in XII century. The story follows the life of one hero, which is not a typical hero we usually recognize. Only the right choices he makes in the certain circumstances, makes this man – scarred by life – a better man.  “Kingdom of Heaven” is an artistic interpretation of the real historical events of XII century – then a fragile peace was kept between Muslims, Christians and Jews in the Kingdom of Jerusalem and how quickly this world can be led to destruction. The peace in Jerusalem is still fragile in our days. The 20 min. documentary outline “Creative Accuracy: the Scholars Speak” you will see shortly, presents the scholars view about the historical events, still actual for us today”.

Mr. Simon Butt, the British Ambassador, Mr. Helmut Bernhard Koller, the Austrian Ambassador, Mr. Jose Luis Solano Gadea, the Spanish Ambassador, Ms. Martina Heranova, Deputy Head of the Czech Embassy, Ms. Janice Mc.Gann, Deputy Head of the Irish Embassy, Ms. Laima Jurevičienė, the Head of the Middle East and Africa Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania, and Ms. Nida Dalmantaitė, First Secretary of the Middle East and Africa Department, Ms. Ieva Kirkaitė from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania, Mr. Rimantas Stankevičius, the Deputy Director of the International Realtions Department of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania as well other honorary guests were participating in this event. 

From left to right: Mr. Jose Luis Solano Gadea, the Spanish Ambassador, Mr. Donal Denham, Irish Ambassador, Mr. Simon Butt, the British Ambassador.