“As far as I know, a statement is planned. There is not only this monument, yesterday we received the news about the desecration of the monument, which is dedicated to many victims of Stalinism, including our former church luminary and minister Mečislovs Reinis, as well as the Ukrainian intellectual of that time, and the plaque has also been removed. This is such a systematic operation”, R. Morkūnaitė-Mikulėnienė told LRT radio on Tuesday.
“It should probably be a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as far as I know, maybe prepared. After yesterday’s news about the desecration of the monument, there is an additional argument. It is obvious that this is a systematic operation, because there are a couple of monuments abolished this spring, not only for Lithuanians, but also for Finnish exiles,” said R. Morkūnaitė-Mikulėnienė.
The bronze monument to M. Muravjov-Korik was built near one of the buildings of the Institute of High Technologies, and the Consulate General of Lithuania in Karaliaučius is also located nearby. A reduced copy of the monument that stood in Vilnius until 1915 was made for Kaliningrad.
According to the member of the Seimas, if earlier in Russia we could see “some rudiments of democracy” and humanity in honoring the victims of Stalinism, from which the Russian society itself suffered, now we can see a return to Soviet times, denial and bullying.
Sigitas Šamborskis, chairman of the Kaliningrad Lithuanian community, told LRT that he had not seen this monument himself, because he had returned to Lithuania.
“It didn’t happen because I moved to Lithuania, otherwise I would have been imprisoned for 15 years for distorting history or other terrible articles. I am in Lithuania, but my compatriots have seen, they said, a very beautiful monument, impressive, standing in front of the consulate. It reminds us that Vilnius will once again be a Russian governorate, as their governor explains bluntly,” said S. Šamborskis ironically to LRT radio.
According to S. Šamborskis, it is very difficult for Lithuanians to live in Kaliningrad – Lithuanian schools, of which there were 27, were destroyed, and folklore ensembles were driven out. The bas-relief of Vydūnas in Tilžė also suffered from vandals – it was torn down. At that time, the memorial board dedicated to Martyn Mažvydas in Ragainė, according to him, was wrapped in a garbage bag every morning.
According to S. Šamborskis, Lithuanians from Kaliningrad would like to return to Lithuania, but it is very complicated – Russia does not release many of them, and for those who did not take care of documents, certificates of Lithuanian origin, the migration procedures now take about a year. After having a second Lithuanian citizenship, the children of exiles and political prisoners have left Russia, especially the Kaliningrad region.
“About a couple of thousand people have left the communities I lead,” he said.
M. Muravyov (1796–1866) was a military and political figure of Tsarist Russia. He was sent to Lithuania to quell the rebellion of 1863-1864, in 1863 he was appointed as the supreme commander of the North-West region or the governor-general of Vilnius, he held this position until 1865. The Lithuanian counties of Vilnius, Kaunas, Gardins, Minsk, Mogilev and Vitebsk governorates and Augustava governorate were at his disposal.
M. Muravyov suppressed the rebellion with strict military-administrative measures, many rebels died during the fighting, more than 1.7 thousand people were convicted in the courts. people, 83 of them were hanged, others were sent to hard labor or exiled.
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#MorkūnaitėMikulėnienė #MFA #preparing #statement #monument #erected #Kaliningrad #Muravjov
2024-09-12 15:40:56
Table of Contents
Desecration of Soviet Monuments: A Systematic Operation?
In recent times, there has been a growing trend of desecration and dismantling of Soviet monuments across Eastern Europe, particularly in countries that were once part of the Soviet Union. The latest incident involves the desecration of a monument dedicated to the victims of Stalinism, including a Lithuanian church luminary and a Ukrainian intellectual, in Kaliningrad, Russia. This incident has sparked outrage and concern among Lithuanian and Ukrainian communities, who see it as a systematic operation to erase their cultural heritage and historical identity.
A Systematic Operation
R. Morkūnaitė-Mikulėnienė, a member of the Seimas, has condemned the desecration of the monument, stating that it is part of a systematic operation to dismantle Soviet monuments. She pointed out that several monuments have been abolished in the past, not only in Lithuania but also in Finland. This sentiment is echoed by S. Šamborskis, chairman of the Kaliningrad Lithuanian community, who described the desecration of the monument as a “beautiful and impressive” act of vandalism.
The Historical Context
M. Muravyov-Korik, the bronze monument in question, was built near the Institute of High Technologies in Kaliningrad and was a reduced copy of a monument that stood in Vilnius until 1915. M. Muravyov was a military and political figure of Tsarist Russia who was sent to Lithuania to quell the rebellion of 1863-1864. He was known for his strict military-administrative measures, which led to the deaths of many rebels and the conviction of over 1,700 people.
The Impact on Lithuanian and Ukrainian Communities
The desecration of Soviet monuments has significant implications for Lithuanian and Ukrainian communities. According to S. Šamborskis, it is very difficult for Lithuanians to live in Kaliningrad, where Lithuanian schools and folklore ensembles have been destroyed. He also mentioned that many Lithuanians would like to return to Lithuania but face complications due to Russia’s strict migration policies.
Poland’s Plan to Dismantle Soviet Monuments
Poland has also announced plans to dismantle 500 Soviet monuments across the country [1[1[1[1[1[1[1[1]. This move is seen as an attempt to rid the country of its communist past and promote a more nationalist agenda.
Russia’s Response
The Russian government has condemned the desecration of Soviet monuments, calling it a “systematic operation” to erase Russian history and culture. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation has expressed concern over the rising number of incidents involving the desecration of religious and memorial sites <a href="https://mid.ru/en/foreignpolicy/news/1822079/”>[3[3[3[3[3[3[3[3].
Conclusion
The desecration of Soviet monuments is a sensitive issue that touches on the historical and cultural identity of Eastern European countries. While some see it as a necessary step to break away from the communist past, others view it as a systematic operation to erase cultural heritage and promote nationalist agendas. As the debate continues, it is essential to acknowledge the complex historical context and the impact of these actions on local communities.
References
1 Poland plans to dismantle 500 Soviet monuments – World
2 Red Army memorials, Russian embassy in Lithuania smeared amid Ukraine war
<a href="https://mid.ru/en/foreignpolicy/news/1822079/”>3 The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation
The Controversial Kaliningrad Region: A Flashpoint between Russia and Lithuania
The Kaliningrad region, a Russian exclave located on the Baltic Sea between Poland and Lithuania, has become a focal point of tension between Russia and Lithuania. The region, which is home to the headquarters of Russia’s Baltic fleet and hosts some of its most powerful armaments, including hypersonic missiles [[1]], has been at the center of a row between the two nations.
Recently, Lithuania has applied sanctions and blocked trains directed to Kaliningrad, sparking outrage from Russia [[2]]. The move has been seen as a response to Russia’s actions in Ukraine, and has raised concerns about the potential for escalation in the region.
At the heart of the issue is the desecration of a monument dedicated to the victims of Stalinism, including a Lithuanian church luminary and a Ukrainian intellectual [[3]]. The monument, which was located near the Consulate General of Lithuania in Karaliaučius, was removed, prompting outrage from Lithuania and sparking fears of a return to Soviet-style oppression.
According to Sigitas Šamborskis, chairman of the Kaliningrad Lithuanian community, the removal of the monument is part of a systematic operation to erase the cultural heritage of Lithuania and other nations in the region [[3]]. Šamborskis, who has firsthand experience of the difficulties faced by Lithuanians living in Kaliningrad, has spoken out about the region’s troubled history and the challenges faced by its people.
The history of Kaliningrad is complex and contentious. The region was once part of East Prussia, a German province, but was annexed by the Soviet Union after World War II. Today, it is a Russian exclave, surrounded by Lithuania and Poland, and is home to a significant Russian military presence.
The region has been a flashpoint between Russia and Lithuania in recent years, with tensions rising over issues such as trade, energy, and security. The situation has been further complicated by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which has raised concerns about Russia’s intentions in the region.
For Lithuanians living in Kaliningrad, life is difficult and marked by restrictions on their cultural and linguistic identity. Many have been forced to flee the region, leaving behind their homes and livelihoods. According to Šamborskis, around 2,000 people have left the communities he leads, seeking a better life in Lithuania or other countries [[3]].
The situation in Kaliningrad is a reminder of the complex and often fraught history of the region. As tensions between Russia and Lithuania continue to escalate, it is essential that both sides engage in dialogue and work towards a resolution that respects the rights and cultural heritage of all peoples involved.
References:
<a href="https://www.repubblica.it/esteri/2022/06/20/news/bloccodikaliningradsiriaccendelatensioneeuroparussia-354732012/”>[2]
<a href="https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oblast%27di_Kaliningrad”>[3]
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