5th Litvaks World Congress 2022 — Association of Jews of Vilna and vicinity in Israel

On May 23-26 in Lithuania, the 5th Lithuanian World Congress "Dating with Vilnius", was taking place, witnessing the strong connections between Lithuania and the Litvak community spread all over the world. The congress' goal was to build awareness of the Litvak world heritage and send a clear message of support for the efforts in fighting antisemitism and any type of discrimination.

During the congress there were discussions, visits to historical sites and various cultural activities dedicated to Jewish heritage in Lithuania and the achievements of Lithuanians in the world.

The congress was organized by the Lithuanian Jewish community, sponsored by Speaker of the Parliament Viktorija Čmilyt . - Nielsen.

Participants and guests of the World Litvak Congress gathered in the Lithuanian Parliament. This congress was supposed to take place on the occasion of Vilnius Gaon Year, but it was postponed due to the Coronavirus, and later postponed again due to the war in Ukraine. Faina Kukliansky, chairperson of the Lithuanian Jewish Community, congratulated the participants, reminding the Jewish saying "it can always be worse." The Lithuanian Polish Jewish community was once the largest in Europe. Gradually the Jewish community was shrinking, now the Lithuanian Jewish Lithuanian community consists of only a few hundred people.

Ms. Kukliansky said “These days, we are inviting you to an open conversation about the future of the Litvak culture and how important it is to pass it on to our children and grandchildren. I am sure the state of Lithuania is also interested in ensuring that all Litvaks around the world feel at home in their ancestral homeland".