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As another special day approaches, on October 6, when the monument to the partisan commander Adolfas Ramanauskas – Vanagas will be unveiled, an interview with Auksute Ramanauskaitė – Skokauskiene, the daughter of the Lithuanian salmon fighting hero, on the history of the struggles for freedom, monuments, significant works. message to future generations.
A monument to Lithuanian partisans was inaugurated in Kryžkalnis on September 20, and on October 6 we are waiting for the inauguration of the monument to the partisan commander Adolfas Ramanauskas – Vanags, what moods, what thoughts?
On September 20, I participated in the inauguration of the monument to the Lithuanian partisans in Kryžkalnis. Looking at that wall of memory, thoughts flew into my mind: here only surnames and what kind of wall. And after all, they were people, with their lives, with their dreams, with their aspirations. They all had their loved ones, dear peoples, but after the Soviet occupation, they deliberately chose the path of defending the freedom and independence of the Fatherland. Each surname is a complete story. Undisclosed, unique. And where did the bodies of all of them lie? Will they ever meet? I know how long I searched for my dad’s remains, how long I experienced hopes and disappointments. And then there, in Kryžkalnis, there was such a feeling that soon, on October 6, a tombstone will be enshrined on the grave of my dad, Adolfas Ramanauskas Vanagas. The memory of those listed here will be in that space, because they were all Defenders of Freedom, Lithuanian soldiers, and Vanagas – Their Commander, Commander of the Armed Forces, Leader of Lithuania, who fought against the Soviet occupation. And not only will it be that day, it will remain forever. And the time: September 20 and October 6 are so close, as if they were selected, although no one picked up.
Do you know how the authors of the monument to the sculptor A. Kuzma and the company “Arches” Adolf Ramanauskas – Vanagas were born?
In the past, I had a lot of communication with the brilliant father of the memory of the sculptor Algirdas Kuzma, the famous sculptor Stanislovas Kuzma. I met him at the beginning of the restoration of independence. Then, with a lot of original photos of my Father, in which he was photographed with falcons, I approached the sculptor Stanislovas to his workshop to present his idea and proposal. I really wanted to have a job created for the Father in my environment, at home, although in a small space. I well remember how the sculptor Stanislaus used to say (and then frequently recalled): “Perhaps here mysticism? I just read the memories of Vanago. I am so affected. And here the door opens and his daughter stands up. “We talked a lot. Then in 1991 I was publishing the first edition of my father’s memoirs,” Many children fell … into the ranks of the partisans. “The sculptor was also fascinated with those hawks, although he said it was not characteristic. style for his work, but thoughts apparently did not let go. Thus was born the wood chamber artwork – Falcon, sitting on a forest tree stump with weaponry, other guerrilla attributes and a falcon on his shoulder. in an honorable place in my home. And 22 years ago the sculptor Stanislovas Kuzma created a bust of Adolfas Ramanauskas Vanags for the gymnasium of his name, where Ramanauskas once taught at a former teachers’ seminary.
What would you comment on how the creative and organizational work was carried out in the development of the idea of a monument to Adolf Ramanauskas – Vanagas? What difficulties did you face?
It took a long time to publish the terms of the tender. It is gratifying that up to 19 sculptors have expressed their desire to participate in the contest. I thank you all because all of the contestants expressed interesting thoughts, ideas, and the fact that you are indifferent to our nation’s freedom struggles.
The commission was made up of representatives of institutions responsible for culture, art and other fields, evaluated 14 projects presented and selected the winner, taking into account the artistic quality of the ideological and plastic solutions of the monument, the authenticity of the artistic idea, the convenience of the means of expression and meaning. The context was also taken into account: the harmony of the set of monuments and tombstones with the cemetery at the burial place of the Lithuanian heads of state. The five projects submitted were not evaluated because they did not meet the published bidding conditions. This is how the winner of the contest was chosen.
Is the history of Lithuania’s freedom struggles sufficiently well known to the younger generation? What measures do you think should be taken so that all Lithuanian citizens get to know the Lithuanian freedom fighters to mention their names with honor without misinformation?
It’s gratifying that young people are becoming increasingly interested in our nation’s freedom struggles, that youth marches in guerrilla freedom struggles are gaining popularity, but I think we should speak louder, at the state level, about the heroes of our nation, that we can and should be proud of our nation’s freedom struggles. history, to talk about how the history of our freedom struggles was falsified during the Soviet era, about the fact that Lithuania’s enemies are still doing their dirty work trying to spread misinformation. The younger generation can no longer know the truth from their experience, and often repeating a lie without giving adequate retaliation can make the young person appear to be the truth. I think lies and that is the goal.
What is your opinion on observing the Lithuanian art world, theater, concert halls? What would you say to artists, organizers who say not to confuse art with politics, who cooperate with creators in the hostile country, build their works, award prizes, decorate the art world of the hostile country with their talent?
I always enjoy the work of artists who spread the truth about our sacred fight for Freedom.
How can Lithuanian artists, young artists, contribute to the memory of Lithuanian freedom fighters?
In this space I think there are great untapped opportunities. Maybe all of this in the future. Wish it was close. I enjoy the “Songs of Freedom Fights” project on this topic.
How not to give in to the provocations of these times?
Learn the true story of your nation’s struggles for freedom, don’t be afraid to retaliate against injustice. We must fight provocations at the state level. The men and women who have given their youth and their lives for the freedom of Lithuania deserve the respect and protection of the State of their memory from the despisers. The example of the responsibility of freedom fighters with their state is very necessary today for the present and the future.
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