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This Monday, the Seimas decided that the capital’s Lukiškės Square could only be formed with accents commemorating the freedom struggles, its management could not contradict “public order and good morals”, and Vytis would be the main accent of the square . The law began after the beach was temporarily installed on the square at the initiative of the Vilnius authorities.
L.Kreivytė: “We are hostages of the paralyzed imagination”
How 15 minutes Art critic Laima Kreivytė stated that Seimas’s decision sets a bad precedent, showing that the government does not respect the decision of its citizens, because in 2017. The winner of the contest organized for the Lukiškės Square memorial was not the Vytis sculpture, but Andrius Labašauskas’ “Freedom Hill” project. The results of the competition were determined in equal parts by the jury and online voting by citizens.
“Andrius Labašauskas’ project was democratically elected. Therefore, once again it is shown that the voice of the people does not go to heaven. Cut to him for power.
Such interference in democratic procedures, any increase in the powers of the government, the elevation of oneself above the people, is the path to totalitarianism. We are still, thank God, we are a democracy, but when we no longer care what people think, these are already steps towards totalitarianism, “said L. Kreivytė.
When asked if this long process, when the winner’s project is not feasible, mainly due to the demand initiated by the Vytis Support Fund, and now the law passed by the Seimas, will affect the artists’ decision to participate in competitions. Hosted by the state in the future, L. Kreivytė says it will depend on what type and level of jobs we want.
“If we only want a conjuncture, some symbols, a realistic way, if we want to look like Belarus or the 19th century, there will always be artisans who will fulfill the request.” And if, however, we imagine that we are a progressive and democratic state that respects the opinion of its citizens, who think about how to represent the world, then the situation is already different, ”said the art critic.
He also drew attention to the artificial contradiction between Vytis and Laisvės kalva.
“I really don’t like the contradiction between Vytis, who is, after all, very patriotic, and the ‘hill’, which, I understand, no longer knows what. After all, it is a monument to our supporters. Who is the great judge who decides who is more noble, whose victim is more noble? Why are our supporters worthless?
Such a double cut, both in the opinion of the people and in the memory of the supporters, seems to me a great discredit of this government, which believes that it knows everything better, “said L. Kreivytė.
Photo by A.Labašauskas / New model of the Lukiškės Square monument
However, while discussions about public spaces and the signs of history and culture are not lacking, the case of Lukiškės Square is probably the most surprising in the history of independent Lithuania. Why does Lukiškės Square generate such stormy and relentless reactions for so long? Answering this question, L. Kreivytė affirms that we are hostages of the paralyzed imagination.
“Already when Lenin was built there, when he emphasized this Lukiškės square, it seems that it is necessary to replace one idol with another, even though the square has been without any idols for 20 years or more. People were there in silence, without no ideological tension, and nothing happened. Now we see the desire to symbolically establish my power, to establish our point of view, to say that I am in control here, here my word is the last.
Although it seems to me that the most important square is the Cathedral Square, ”said L. Kreivytė.
E.Lubytė: Vytis is already in Lukiškės square
Art critic Elona Lubytė noted that if we look at the letter of the law, Vytis Square is already there: the historical flag of the Lithuanian state, representing the symbol of Vytis, currently flies in Lukiškės Square.
“It just caught our eye then. People live by his side and live as they please. Who wants to feed the children, who wants to kiss, who wants to read books, who wants to walk around the fountain. And who wants to come to honor dates of celebrations of historical events or important dates for family, loved ones. <...>
Photo by Josvydas Elinskas / 15min / Lukiškės Square
And I don’t need any other Vytis, either as an art historian or as a Vilna resident, in this square, ”says E. Lubytė.
According to the art critic, this space had already begun to take shape as a true city square: “A certain social life, social culture began to take shape in it. <...>. Lukiškės Square simply became a city square, where everyone could find a place for themselves. And this story takes everything to zero. “
A.Labašauskas: Seimas members made a symbol of violence from Vytis
Monday 15 minutes Sculptor Andrius Labašauskas, winner of the competition for the Lukiškės Square commemorative project, commented on the law passed by the Seimas and said: “The members of the Seimas made Vytis a symbol of violence. Trying, not chasing, not proud, but stepping on everyone’s path. “
He argued that such a law was a direct restriction on freedom, first of all, creative freedom.
“Such laws are only possible in authoritarian regimes, not in democracies. This means that the system in Lithuania is probably changing, I treat it this way, if there is no dialogue between Seimas and the public, the experts, the rule of law, the Seimas simply makes unilateral decisions that are not within its competence.
It seems to me that such a law should be unconstitutional, the Seimas Legal Department has commented on this. <…> There was a lot of criticism, making it very strange to me that the law was still adopted, “said A. Labašauskas.
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