About VšĮ Pasaulio kultūros projektai (World Culture Project
Preserving Memory - Restoring Dignity - Inspiring Future Generations
VšĮ Pasaulio kultūros projektai (World Culture Projects) is a nonprofit organization based in Anykščiai, Lithuania, dedicated to cultural education and heritage restoration. Established on July 20, 2018 and legally registered under Company ID 304880483, the organization operates as an aid recipient Nonprofit Organization recognized for its commitment to preserving historical memory and fostering intercultural dialogue.
Our headquarters are located at S. Daukanto g. 9, LT-29132, Anykščiai, and we are led by Director Daiva Kasteckaitė, a Lithuanian-born cultural advocate who has lived in the United States for more than 25 years. Daiva returns annually to her hometown, where she discovered the neglected synagogue and committed herself to its restoration.
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OUR PORPOUSE
We are a cultural restoration initiative focused on reviving the last remaining synagogue in Anykščiai — a historic building that once served as a spiritual and communal center for a vibrant Jewish population. Today, it stands abandoned, a silent witness to centuries of resilience, tragedy, and hope. Our mission is to:
- Restore the synagogue with architectural integrity and historical respect
- Create a museum and educational center to teach Jewish history and promote cultural dialogue
- Host events and exhibitions that celebrate resilience, diversity, and shared heritage
WHY TRUST US
- Legal Status: Active Nonprofit Organization, incorporated in 2018
- Activity: Cultural education and heritage projects
- Transparency: Registered as an official aid recipient, with financial reports filed annually
- Leadership: Directed by Daiva Kasteckaitė, whose international experience bridges Lithuanian heritage with global cultural advocacy
OUR VISION
Through this project, we aim to transform the synagogue into a living museum — a place where history breathes, where young people can learn, and where communities can come together to honor the past while shaping a more inclusive future. Our vision goes beyond restoration.
We seek to:
- Preserve cultural memory by safeguarding the last synagogue in Anykščiai as a symbol of resilience and dignity.
- Educate future generations through exhibitions, workshops, and school programs that highlight Jewish heritage and its contribution to Lithuania’s identity.
- Promote intercultural dialogue by creating a space where diverse communities can meet, reflect, and celebrate shared values.
- Strengthen international partnerships with institutions, foundations, and companies that believe in cultural preservation and social responsibility.
- Inspire global awareness by connecting local history to universal themes of remembrance, tolerance, and human rights.
- Empower the local community by engaging architects, builders, engineers, and artisans in the restoration process — creating jobs, developing skills, and generating sustainable economic opportunities.
- Elevate prestige and recognition by positioning the synagogue as both a cultural landmark and a heritage site of international importance, attracting visitors, scholars, and cultural institutions.
This synagogue will not only be a museum but also a living center of culture, education, and community development, ensuring that the lessons of history remain relevant and accessible to all. It will stand as a beacon of remembrance and renewal — a place where the past informs the present, where local pride is strengthened, and where hope for a more inclusive and prosperous future is nurtured.
Contact: daiva@anyksciaiheritage.org german@anyksciaiheritage.org
Phone USA: +1 (301) 910-3500
Phone Lithuania: +370 (603) 94-928
Address: S. Daukanto g. 9, LT-29132, Anykščiai, Lithuania
WHY IT MATTERS
The COVID‑19 pandemic and global economic instability have made cultural restoration more challenging than ever. Rising costs, shifting markets, and limited resources have slowed progress — yet the urgency of this project remains undeniable.
Every contribution brings us closer to safeguarding this irreplaceable landmark. Your support helps us:
- Protect the building from further structural decay
- Launch architectural restoration with integrity and care
- Develop educational programs that inspire future generations
- Celebrate heritage by honoring the lives once lived and the culture that thrived
This is more than a restoration — it is an investment in memory, dignity, and community. Together, we can ensure that the synagogue of Anykščiai stands not only as a monument of the past, but as a living symbol of resilience and hope for the future.
JOIN US
We invite individuals, families, foundations, companies, and cultural institutions to stand with us in this vital restoration. Whether you are a donor, educator, historian, advocate, or community leader — your support makes a lasting difference.
Together, we can:
- Preserve a sacred space and safeguard its heritage
- Honor the memory of a community that once thrived
- Create a living center of culture, education, and dialogue
- Build a future rooted in compassion, remembrance, and shared responsibility
Your involvement is more than a contribution — it is a commitment to dignity, memory, and hope.
Become part of this legacy today.
A MESSAGE FROM DAIVA
“This synagogue is more than bricks and mortar, It is a story of strength, memory, and meaning, for me, it is not simply a building... it is a dream, a calling, and a responsibility, I want young people from all over the world to learn about the Jewish community of Anykščiai, not only its tragedy, but its vitality, its creativity, and its profound contribution to Lithuania’s soul.
Every time I return to my hometown, I see this synagogue standing silently, waiting, It is the last witness of a community that once thrived, a community that gave life, culture, and spirit to this town, to let it fade into dust would be to lose not only a building, but a legacy.
This project is not mine alone, It belongs to the people of Anykščiai, to the descendants of those who lived here, and to everyone who believes that memory matters, It is a chance to restore dignity, to create a place where history breathes, and to build something that will inspire generations to come.
But I cannot do this alone, I need partners; individuals, companies, foundations, and institutions; who understand that heritage is not just about the past, but about shaping the future, Your support is what will turn this dream into reality and together, we can transform the synagogue into a living museum, a center of culture and education, and a beacon of remembrance and renewal.
This is not only my vision... it is our shared legacy, and with your help, it will stand as a symbol of resilience, compassion, and hope for the world.”
