Nausėda posthumously honours 36 people who saved Jews

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda on Friday posthumously honoured 36 people who saved Jews from Nazi genocide during World War II, LRT reported.

Relatives accepted the Crosses of the Life-Saver for their parents, grandparents or great-grandparents at a ceremony held ahead of the Day of Remembrance of the Genocide of the Jews of Lithuania.

Nausėda said most of those who rescued Jews were ordinary people who had not sought heroic deeds or planned to become heroes, but who made a decision at a crucial moment that would be remembered for centuries as an example of humanity, courage and sacrifice.

He said the decision by thousands of people in Lithuania to preserve their humanity and defend the lives and dignity of their fellow citizens showed that people can choose good and truth even in the most brutal circumstances.

“The rescuers of Lithuania’s Jews became an example and a source of hope for all humanity. By saving one life, they saved the whole world,” Nausėda said at the ceremony.

He added that it was especially important today to remember and honour people who chose humanity when faced with a decisive moment.

About 195,000 Jews were killed in Lithuania during World War II. Around 208,000 Jews lived in the country before the war. The Day of Remembrance of the Genocide of the Jews of Lithuania is observed on September 23.