On October 3, 2022, at the Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania, the National Commission for Cultural Heritage presented the findings of the research on construction in Vilnius Baroque ensembles. The research findings reflect specifically the systemic problems, and identifying these is important to inspire changes where they are necessary.
Presenting the research conducted by the Heritage Commission, the chairperson, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vaidutė Ščiglienė, noted that “as the terms of the Heritage Commission change, it is very important to ensure the continuity of its important work. The origins of this research date back to 2016. The Heritage Commission was already monitoring the construction processes being implemented and planned in the Ensemble of Buildings of the Vilnius Missionary Monastery, which began after part of this area was privatized in 2007.”
The Commission actively engaged in the efforts of the public to preserve the ensemble intact, to nurture its exceptional universal value and authenticity, approached the Prosecutor General‘s Office, and participated in a legal process.
An examination of the legalization processes of the past and ongoing constructions in the territories of the St. Philip and St. James Complex and the Missionary Monastery Ensemble highlighted five problematic areas, which were briefly presented at the event by members of the Heritage Commission working group: Dr. Viltė Janušauskaitė, Dr. Dalia Vasiliūnienė, and Augis Gučas. These problems are: privatization process, research and expertise, decisions of Immovable cultural heritage assessment boards and protection regulations, territorial planning process, as well as implementation of architectural competitions and new constructions.
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.
Photographies by Simona Dojankevičiūtė and the National Commission for Cultural Heritage.