Public memory and urban spaces in Vilnius

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.