The granite statues ten meters high representing Soviet soldiers were to disappear from the Antolkol cemetery in Vilnius. The decision to dismantle was taken by the city council in June, after the monument was removed from the register of cultural property. The demolition was assessed at 48 thousand. euros and a contractor was found.

But the statues are still standing, and instead of demolition work, the city invested in several hundred meters of black fabric, which was used to cover the monuments. The authorities explain that they thus wanted to protect the statues from vandalism, because there had already been attempts to destroy them. Like in October, when someone painted an obscene word on it. – We also covered them so as not to annoy people – admitted the mayor of Vilnius Remigijus Simasius in the media.

Lithuania settles accounts with the past

Many Soviet monuments in the region have suffered a similar fate in recent months. Lithuania, like other Baltic countries, began to actively rid itself of traces of the Soviet past after Russia invaded Ukraine. Thus, Soviet sculptures disappear from the streets of Lithuanian cities, the names of Russian streets are changed, in September Vilnius renamed the Lithuanian Russian Drama Theater (better known to Poles as Teatr na Pohulanka) to Vilnius Old Theater, and the authorities of the capital have decided to demolish the Moscow house. Opinion polls show that half of Lithuanian citizens are in favor of the removal of Soviet monuments from public space, 35% are in favor of their removal. strongly or rather against.

Meanwhile, Lithuanian authorities say the demolition is necessary because the Soviet sculptures bear the same symbols used today by the Russian army that attacked Ukraine. Moreover, they painfully remind Lithuanians of the times of the Soviet occupation.

But unlike, for example, Latvia, Lithuania does not destroy monuments, but removes them from public space. Part is transported to Grutas Park near Druskininkai; Soviet sculptures from all over the country come here. The city authorities assure that no one ever intended to destroy the monuments of the Antokol cemetery. “There has never been an idea or even a suggestion to destroy these monuments,” Tomas Gulbinas, deputy mayor of Vilnius, told DW. And he assures that they had to be moved to another place. Where? “Probably at a museum,” says the politician. In this context, we are talking about the National Museum of Lithuania.

Ministry: The UN got the information wrong

However, it seems that the UN Human Rights Committee has been given a different version of this story. The organization was supposed to receive a petition from residents, who identified themselves as “ethnic Russians”, complaining about the city’s decision. Unofficially, Lithuanian pro-Russian activists are said to be responsible for the complaint. In a letter to the UN, they allegedly accused the Lithuanian authorities of violating human rights and wanting to remove statues from the graves of Soviet soldiers. In response, the Committee imposed temporary protective measures on the monument and halted its demolition. The Lithuanian authorities categorically deny these allegations.

This is what the monument looked like before it was covered

– The UN decision was based on erroneous information – says the Lithuanian Ministry of Justice, which corresponds with the UN in this case.

– The information that the statues stand on the graves of fallen Soviet soldiers is false. The truth is that there are no graves under the monument or even right next to it, says DW the deputy mayor of the capital.

The graves are located on the terraces on both sides of the monument, three thousand Soviet soldiers are buried here. The city repeats that no one will touch their graves. Only the monument will disappear.

As DW learned unofficially, in practice the Lithuanian authorities can dismantle the monument at any time. They don’t do it out of respect for the UN. – The decision of the Human Rights Committee is not legally binding for us – says a Lithuanian politician.

Incident at the cemetery

Paweł Ławrinec, director of the department of Russian philology at Vilnius University, of Russian origin, admits that the question of monuments can arouse emotions. “You have to be aware that each monument is a tangible testimony to politics. The Red Army in 1944 was indeed a liberator, but it was then the army of the occupier and for many Lithuanians these are very painful memories. On the other hand, for many Russians, even those born in Lithuania, one of the most important events of the 20th century is the Second World War and the millions of victims who gave their lives in the name of victory over Nazism. This monument reminds them of that. At the Antokol monument, every year on May 9, ceremonies were held to celebrate the victory of the USSR in World War II.

Lawrinets adds that he does not understand why the UN got involved. – After all, this is an organization which in recent years has only shown its weakness and which can only “express deep concern” – he says.

Today, the wrapped and glued statues look like they are in blankets. At their feet, someone had placed a photograph showing what they looked like in all their glory before they were covered. In front of the monument, someone put red carnations and lit candles. On November 1, an incident took place at the cemetery – a group of people took the black kilts from the statues. The video of this event circulated on the network, it went to the Russian media.

The Lithuanian authorities are sure that the dismantling of Soviet monuments will take place at any time and that the UN will withdraw the provisional measures it has imposed. “No human rights have been violated and we will prove it to the UN. I am sure that once we have clarified the situation, we can proceed with the removal of the statues”, comments Tomas Gulbinas.