Poles commemorate the WWII Ponary Massacre victims in Vilnius, highlighting the atrocities against Jews, Poles, Roma, and others.
In Ponary, a village near Vilnius, Poles gathered to honor the victims of mass executions carried out during World War II by the SS and Lithuanian collaborators. The Ponary massacre remains relatively unknown, as noted by Lech Parell, head of the Office for Veterans and Repressed Persons.
Remembering the Forgotten
Parell stressed the importance of educating people about the atrocities that took place, highlighting the thousands of Jews, Poles, and others murdered there. “We must remember the victims who perished here, including Jews, Poles, Roma, and Lithuanians,” he said.
Ponary Massacre Memorial Events
The Ponary Family Association has worked for years to raise awareness about the massacre, organizing annual memorial events in Vilnius and the surrounding region. These efforts coincide with the anniversary of the Vilnius Ghetto’s liquidation in 1943.
A Broader Historical Perspective
While Ponary is primarily remembered for the Holocaust, the massacre also targeted Poles and others who were executed for their patriotism and resistance.