LITHUANIAN
QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF ARTS
AND SCIENCES
|
ISSN
0024-5089
Copyright © 2018 LITUANUS Foundation, Inc. |
Volume
64,
No.3 - Fall 2018
Editor of this issue:Almantas Samalavičius |
Abstract:
Public Memory and Urban Spaces in Vilnius
Almantas Samalavičius
Abstract
The article deals with the questions regarding how cultural and
collective memory is being represented and treated in the public
spaces of Vilnius. The author argues that in many cases the progress
of the sphere of design of public spaces and erecting monuments
was slower than one could expect and discusses reasons
why so many public spaces and their monuments are unsuccessful
in Lithuania’s capital despite numerous attempts at commemorating
important dates and figures. The lack of political will, as
well as manipulations of public opinion, ill-prepared and thus
ineffectual architectural contests expose a number of negative
features of post-Soviet society and its culture. The author of the
article insists that unlike some critics claim, nothing is wrong
with the people’s wish to have more monuments in the country’s
capital, the problem is about their meaningfulness, aesthetics
and cultural impact.