Volunteers from our center participated in the creation of the Memorial "Jewish Cemetery of the Kolishki Settlement" in the Lyozno District of the Vitebsk Region. Over 30 volunteers were involved in the restoration work, participating in 10 volunteer events.

Looking at the restored Memorial, it's hard to imagine that just a couple of years ago, the area was covered with trees and shrubs. Even for locals, visiting the cemetery used to be a challenging task, requiring significant effort to find the path. The massive restoration work involved professionals—architects, builders, translators—yet the volunteer contributions were equally significant.

Thanks to the efforts of the participants, 400 matzevot were restored and returned to their original positions, and translations of the epitaphs were completed. A commemorative sign, shaped like a stylized tree with pruned branches, was installed in memory of the Holocaust victims and all the Jews who lived in this settlement. Flowers and stones were placed at the memorial according to Jewish tradition, and a memorial prayer was recited.

The opening ceremony was attended by members of the Vitebsk City Jewish Community, leaders of the Belarusian Union of Jewish Public Organizations and Communities, Lyozno District officials, representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in the Republic of Belarus, and local residents. The attendees were genuinely pleased that the historical memory of these places will now live on in the hearts of new generations.

We thank the volunteers who participated in this remarkable and much-needed project! Your efforts have made a significant contribution to preserving the Jewish heritage of our region!