The walls remember in Seirijai

Lina Šlipavičiūtė’s street art project “Sienos prisimena”, which has been ongoing since 2019, brings back the memory of the Jews of Lithuanian cities and towns to the streets. Neo-frescoes are created based on authentic photos and adorn the walls of Vilnius, Merkinė, Salantai, Utena, Švėkšna, Molėtai. Since the summer of 2023 they were joined by Seirijai. The neofresco was created on a building located on Metelio st. 9, walls. The place was chosen not by chance – the former Seirijai crafts school stands nearby, where in 1941 in September, the Jews of Seirijai were imprisoned for several days before the shooting.

Seirijai up to World War II

The walls of the town of Seirijai remind us of a diverse, complex and changing life. In addition to Lithuanians, Poles and Germans here since the 18th century. Jewish community also lived in the beginning. Before World War II, it had about 1,000 people. The Jews owned a synagogue, a cloister, a school, a library, a bank, a court, several dozen warehouses, artisans toiled here, and light industry workshops operated. Vire had an active life: religious holidays were celebrated, cultural and sports events were held, markets and fairs were bustling, music was played in dance halls and maypoles, and in the cold season – in the ice rink. There were taverns, sugar shops, and a hotel. People who differed in both lifestyle and religious views, but who were connected by close economic ties, work relations, cultural life, and social activities, met daily in the seiris.