The Lithuanian National Commission for Cultural Heritage has been established on January 24th 1995. The Heritage Commission consists of 12 members. 2 members are delegated and exempted by the President of the Republic of Lithuania, 4 of the members – by the Parliament (Seimas) of the Republic of Lithuania on the proposal of the Culture Committee, other 4 members are delegated and exempted by the Prime Minister on the proposal of the Minister of Culture and 2 of the Heritage Commission’s members are elected and dismissed by the public associations whose activities are related to search, preservation and promotion of cultural heritage.
The first members of the National Commission for Cultural Heritage of the Republic of Lithuania were appointed in 1995. Terms change every four years. In 2024, the eighth term began its work.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vaidutė Ščiglienė was appointed to the position of chairperson of the Heritage Commission for a second term on January 9, 2024.
Activities regulation
The activities of the Heritage Commission are regulated by the Law of the National Commission for Cultural Heritage which has been adopted on September 28th 2004. Heritage Commission is an expert and advisor to the Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania, President of the Republic of Lithuania and to Government of the Republic of Lithuania regarding the national policy of cultural heritage protection, its implementation, evaluation and improvement.
The main mission of the Heritage Commission is to participate in the formation of a policy and strategy for the protection of cultural heritage, to inform the Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania, the President of the Republic of Lithuania and the Government a of the Republic of Lithuania about the problems of heritage protection, to prepare draft legal acts related to heritage protection.
One of the main goals of the Heritage Commission is to raise awareness of politicians and society regarding the issues of cultural heritage protection policy and strategy, to promote the concept of cultural heritage protection policy, its goals and importance.