The event “(Un)Discovered Bridges: Lithuanian Heritage in Sweden and the Search for a State Strategy,” held on 27 November at the Seimas Visitors’ Centre, brought together representatives of public institutions, the academic community, and cultural diplomacy to discuss the historical ties between Lithuania and Sweden, the development of policies for the protection of cultural heritage significant to Lithuania abroad, and to present a new map of Lithuanian traces in Sweden — currently the most comprehensive of its kind. The event also included a discussion that revealed key conceptual and practical challenges in this field.
At the beginning of the discussion, the moderator Assoc. Prof. Dr. Salvijus Kulevičius raised a central question — whether the process has reached a deadlock — framing the core issue: the concept, criteria, and a clear strategy for the protection of cultural heritage significant to Lithuania have still not been fully developed.
Invitation to the Public
“Each year we choose a different country. In 2023, the U-Paveldas database was supplemented with examples of interwar modernism in the United States; last year the focus was on France, and this year on Sweden. However, despite the results achieved, we see that this work places too heavy a burden on a small institution. There are so many traces of Lithuanian heritage around the world that it is essential to involve as many institutions, academic and cultural partners, and members of the public as possible,” says the Chair of the Heritage Commission, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vaidutė Ščiglienė.
The Heritage Commission invites everyone—both those living in Lithuania and abroad—to contribute to the development of the U-Paveldas database.
Although Lithuania is a small country, traces of its culture and history extend across the world. Some of them emerged due to painful historical circumstances. The Commission invites everyone to share their knowledge and observations about Lithuanian heritage abroad—your contribution may become an invaluable part of our shared memory.
How to Contribute to the U-Paveldas Database
Information about cultural heritage sites significant to Lithuania can be submitted by email to tatjana.andonova@vkpk.lt and komisija@vkpk.lt.
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.