Dedication to Ona Šimaitė: A concert dedicated to the rescuers of Lithuanian Jews

This year marks exactly 60 years since Ona Šimaitė, a librarian at Vilnius University, was awarded the title of Righteous Among the Nations for saving Jews during the Second World War. She became the first of more than 900 Lithuanians to receive this honorable recognition from Israel's Yad Vashem institute. To commemorate this meaningful anniversary, we invite you on November 18 at 7:00 PM to the Kaunas Vincas Kudirka Public Library (Laisvės al. 57), where an exclusive event will take place – "Dedication to Ona Šimaitė: A concert dedicated to the rescuers of Lithuanian Jews." During the event, cellist Rokas Vaitkevičius, pianist Simona Zajančauskaitė, and the author of the idea, Tadas Daujotas, who plays ancient Hebrew horns – shofars – will perform a sensitive musical journey conveying historical memory. The program will feature works by Joseph Achron, John Williams, Ernest Bloch, Max Bruch, Giedrius Kuprevičius, and Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis. The highlight of the evening is the piece "The Librarian," composed specifically for this occasion by US composer of Litvak descent Lee Kesselman, dedicated to commemorating the life of Ona Šimaitė and her extraordinarily courageous mission. The four-part suite for cello, piano, and shofars will reveal through musical imagery the different stages of the life of this prominent Lithuanian figure – from the cultural diversity of pre-war Vilnius and the fellowship between Lithuanians and Jews to the tragic events of the Holocaust, self-sacrificing resistance, and historical recognition. The first part will transport listeners to pre-war Vilnius – a city where Lithuanians, Jews, and people of other nationalities lived side by side for centuries, where a unique cultural environment was created, and daily life was connected by fellowship, knowledge, and human bonds. The music will recall a world that would soon be shaken by war and will highlight the value of human connections in the face of historical trials. The second part will convey the drama of the Nazi occupation and the darkest period in Lithuanian history. Against the backdrop of the Vilnius Ghetto tragedy, the courage and determination of Ona Šimaitė not to leave persecuted Jews to their fate will unfold. Risking her own life, she helped ghetto prisoners, transported food and essential items, delivered messages, smuggled documents and Jewish cultural treasures out of the ghetto, and contributed to saving people. The third part will tell of Ona Šimaitė's arrest, imprisonment, and the suffering she endured. In 1944, she was arrested by the Gestapo for her activities, brutally interrogated, and deported to the Dachau concentration camp. This is a musical reflection on human fragility, suffering, and inner strength – on the price that had to be paid for resisting evil and remaining faithful to one's conscience. The fourth part will become a symbol of hope, remembrance, and moral victory. Having survived the concentration camp, Ona Šimaitė remained faithful to her values, and her courage was recognized internationally. On March 15, 1966, Yad Vashem awarded her the title of Righteous Among the Nations, and she became the first Lithuanian honored for saving Jews during the Holocaust years. The music of this part will give meaning not only to her personal heroism but also to a universal message: even in the darkest of circumstances, one person's choice can preserve lives, dignity, and hope. The event is free. Registration is required at www.orkestras.org The event organizer is the public institution "Prabudimo orkestras." The project is funded by the Lithuanian Council for Culture and the "Israel-Lithuania Chamber of Commerce" association. Partners: Lithuanian Jewish (Litvak) Community, Kaunas Jewish Community, Kaunas Vincas Kudirka Public Library, and Knygos.lt.