On October 2001, 2, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Cijunė Sugihara, on the right bank of the Neris, near White bridge, an avenue of 200 Japanese sakura trees was planted next to the National Art Gallery. The cherry trees planted are a gift from the Japanese government to the city of Vilnius.
Japanese diplomat Chijune Sugihara in 1939. in November moved from Finland to Kaunas and established a Japanese consulate. When the Second World War began, Jewish refugees from Europe stayed in Lithuania for about a year. Despite the prohibition of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and with the help of the Polish secret services, Č. Risking his career, Sugihara wrote transit visas for Jewish people by hand every day for several months. In 1985. shortly before her death, Chijune Sugihara received the "Righteous Among Nations" award.
The words of the founders of the park are written on the monument placed at the entrance, declaring that these sakura trees are a gift from the Japanese people to Lithuania, intended to strengthen friendly relations between our countries.
Sakuras, also known as Japanese cherries, only bloom for about two weeks, usually in April (sometimes May). The following types of cherries are called them: Prunus serrulata, Prunus speciosa, Prunus yedoensis, Prunus sargentii. Their flowers are not fragrant, but cherry blossoms are one of the first to bloom and remind us of a spring awakening. Vilnius residents read books, have snacks, sit under cherry trees, take photos in the Sakurai garden.
This gift from the Japanese government to the city of Vilnius commemorates the man who saved about 6 thousand people. Lithuanian, Polish and German Jewish people.
Information prepared by: Gabija Buchytė, VilniusGO.lt
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