Representatives of the German Brigade in Lithuania Visit the Vilna Gaon Museum of Jewish History

Representatives of the German Brigade in Lithuania, Panzerbrigade 45 Litauen, visited the Vilna Gaon Museum of Jewish History today as part of the brigade’s “Day of Values” initiative (Tag im Zeichen unserer Werte). The initiative encourages soldiers to engage with historical experiences and reflect on the importance of democratic values and personal responsibility.

The visitors were welcomed at the Samuel Bak Museum by the museum’s director, Sergey Kanovich.

“Confronting history reminds us of the importance of human dignity, freedom, and responsibility,” said Commander of the German Brigade in Lithuania, Brigadier General Christoph Huber.

During the visit, brigade members learned about the history of Vilnius’s Jewish community, memorial sites connected with the former Vilnius Ghetto, and the cultural heritage of the Litvaks. The museum team introduced the exhibitions at the Samuel Bak Museum and the Museum of Jewish Culture and Identity in Lithuania.

Particular attention was devoted to the life and work of artist Samuel Bak, including his postwar studies in Munich and the internationally recognized body of work he has created throughout his career.

The visit also included a meeting with Milda Jakulytė-Vasil, representative of Maceva, a public institution dedicated to documenting and cataloguing Litvak cemeteries. Discussions focused on future cooperation, including plans to continue the joint Jewish cemetery preservation project in Merkinė this August.

The museum thanks the German Brigade in Lithuania, Panzerbrigade 45 Litauen, for its thoughtful and meaningful engagement with the history of Lithuanian Jews and for its shared commitment to preserving historical memory and democratic values.