Historian Lenskis: Jewish history also has its beautiful side, not just the Holocaust

Historian Ilja Lenskis, director of the "Jews in Latvia" museum, said on Latvian Radio's program "Monopols" that he has almost never personally encountered antisemitism during his life.

Lenskis noted that societal attitudes in Latvia have shifted toward greater acceptance over time. However, he believes many people still lack a sufficiently broad understanding of Jewish history as a whole.

History extends beyond the Holocaust

The museum director emphasized that Jewish history cannot be reduced solely to the tragedy of the Holocaust — it also includes bright and beautiful chapters that are often overlooked by society. In his view, it is important to build a wider and more nuanced understanding of this history, rather than associating it only with suffering and tragic events.