The Visas that Saved Lives – The Story of Chiune Sugihara Screening
On April 26, The Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania and the Embassy of Japan in cooperation with B'Nai Brith Canada presented a film titled “The Visas that Saved Lives” at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum. The film depicts the story of Chiune Sugihara, a Japanese diplomat who served as Vice-Consul at the Consulate of Japan in Kaunas, Lithuania. During World War II he issued the transit visas that saved many lives of Jewish refugees fleeing from German-occupied Europe.
A reception was held prior to the film screening in which Ambassador Ishikawa, along with Lithuanian Ambassador Damusis, and Dr. Frank Dimant, CEO B'nai Brith Canada, delivered opening remarks. Ambassador Ishikawa expressed his sincere appreciation to Lithuanian Ambassador Damusis for her efforts in bringing this film to Ottawa. Furthermore, Ambassador Ishikawa mentioned that this film reminds us that there are no boundaries to humanitarianism and even during times of great crisis, and opposing political alliances, humans are capable of great acts of compassion. He also mentioned that courageous and selfless people of many different nations overlooked dangers and challenges in order to help one another. He said that war is a dark and often hopeless time, but this film proves that there are sources of light and inspiration in even the bleakest of times.
Before the screening, Mr. Marty Gross who is a distributor of this film in Canada provided audiences with an introduction to the film. The theatre at the Museum was nearly at capacity with almost 250 audience members, and after the screening many people commented that the film was very moving.
|
