Jewish memorial project in Vilnius uncertain due to lack of financing for feasibility examination
The Lithuanian Prime Minister, Gintautas Paluckas, is considering a proposal to build a Jewish memorial in and around the Vilnius Palace of Concerts and Sports. The project, which has international significance, has been under discussion due to its historical and cultural significance.
The Palace of Concerts and Sports, built on the site of an old Jewish cemetery that has been there since the 16th century, has faced opposition from some Jewish communities. The previous government had approved the idea of building a memorial on the site, but the feasibility study for the project may be delayed due to uncertainty about when funding will be available.
The prime minister, Paluckas, mentioned that a significant amount of money will be needed for the project. He also stated that decisions must take the "geopolitical context" into account. There are various proposals, including scrapping the Šnipiškės memorial and converting the Sports Palace into a conference centre or adapting it for commercial use.
The initial plan for the Palace of Concerts and Sports was to convert it into a conference centre, but the tenders were either cancelled or fell through. The Vilnius Mayor, Valdas Benkunskas, supports the idea of the Jewish memorial and believes it is the best way to reach an agreement with Jewish communities and restore the site.
The museum, along with Turto Bankas (Property Bank), will begin work on a feasibility study for the memorial as soon as funding is received. However, the specific start date for the feasibility study is not confirmed. The 2025 budget does not include funds for the feasibility study, and there is no information available about when the budget will be provided to determine the feasibility study for the Jewish Memorial at the Vilnius Concert and Sports Palace.
The Vilnius Mayor is not certain if the new government will follow through with the previous cabinet's idea of the memorial. The feasibility study, initially planned to be completed by November 2025, may be delayed due to these uncertainties. An international tender to launch the feasibility study was planned for February 1, 2027, but this too is subject to change.
The memorial would be dedicated to the history of the Jewish cemetery, and it is hoped that it will serve as a symbol of respect and remembrance for the Jewish community in Lithuania. The prime minister has emphasised that there won't be any sudden moves, and that the project will be approached with care and consideration for its historical and cultural significance.
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