Picture: Liana Jagniatinskyte; presentation “IRENA/ A good night kiss” with filmmaker Giedre Žickytė
Cinema Evenings at the Vilnius Jewish Public Library
Paideia alumna Liana Jagniatinsky is the director of the Vilnius Jewish Public Library. In two years in this position, she has transformed the library from a place focused primarily on Jewish books into a vibrant Jewish cultural center. A particular highlight is a series of events called “Cinema Evenings at the Vilnius Jewish Public Library”, held once a month, inviting people to watch a selected movie, followed by a discussion with a well-known expert. All the movies have one common denominator – Jewish themes or works by Jewish authors. Among the movies were “Seven Blessings”, followed by a talk with psychologist Eugenijus Laurinaitis, “Following The Jagers Report” and a discussion with the producer Stasis Baltakis and “IRENA / A good night kiss” with a talk with filmmaker Giedre Žickytė. The Jewish movie nights attracted hundreds of people, and formed a new professional community to learn about the Jewish library and to develop future activities together.
Thanks to Liana’s work, the library today hosts events, lectures, presentations, poetry evenings, reading circles, concerts, performances, and educational activities for both children and seniors. The library also cooperates with local and international organizations to ensure a diverse, engaging, and high-quality cultural and educational program.
The “Cinema Evenings at the Vilnius Jewish Public Library” have also been supported through Paideia’s Seed Funding grant for alumni.