Kaunas is considered the most patriotic city in the country, and now it will also become “royal”. Already next year, an impressive sculpture of the Grand Duke of Lithuania and King of Poland Alexander Jogailaitis will be erected. It is given to Kaunas free of charge by patron Prof. Pranas Kiznis.
The city will tidy up the environment next to the future monument, take care of small architectural elements.
In Kaunas, the least negative is about monuments
The work is cast in Ukraine by talented sculptors O.Sidorukas and B.Krilovas who have gained recognition in Lithuania.
“We did not build monuments to our history for one and a half hundred years. More precisely, they erected alien idols for us, which had nothing to do with the spirit of the nation. I find it strange the position of those who say that we have already “remembered” too much. I am afraid that this is what those who are not proud of our language and rich culture are saying. Those people reject the traditions and customs of our families and, in principle, do not read our history books. We came to Kaunas because there is the least amount of such negativity here,” businessman and patron of culture prof. said about the gift to Kaunas. Mr. Kiznis.
According to him, people usually mention Vytautas, Žygimantas Augustas, who established the Renaissance in Lithuania, but other historical personalities and their works are forgotten.
Aleksandras Jogailaitis loved Lithuania very much, so he did not move there even after becoming the king of Poland.
According to historians, this personality is famous not only for warfare, but also for the ideas of humanism brought to Lithuania, the systematic filling of the state archive – Lithuanian Metrics.
It is believed that the duke himself headed the country’s clerical and diplomatic service and nurtured the Lithuanian language.
The people of Kaunas will decide
“We are honored to receive such a gift. I have no doubt that the people of Kaunas will choose the most suitable place for the sculpture of Aleksanders Jogailaitis. I believe that it will become another point of attraction in the city, which will allow us to get to know our history and outstanding personalities better”, said Kaunas City Mayor Visvaldas Matijošaitis.
We came to Kaunas because there is the least of such negativity here.
It was decided to donate this work to Kaunas after seeing the success story of Vytis, the symbol of our state – the “Freedom Warrior” sculpture. According to Mr. Kiznis, the people of Kaunas and the city communities consider this monument their own and are proud of it.
The patron is convinced that Kaunas will inevitably become a “royal city”, no matter which place the residents vote for.
According to historical sources, Aleksandras Jogailaitis took care of Kaunas St. the archcathedral basilica of the apostles Peter and Paul and the city parish. in 1503 on July 13, at the request of pastor Jonas Zaluskis, he granted the church foundational privileges, estates and land in the city and its surroundings. The ruler encouraged that at least part of the services be held in Lithuanian.
Offers three possible spaces
The city offers three options for the sculpture of Aleksandrs Jogailaitis: the approach to Ramybės Park in the axis of Miško Street, the green area in Draugystės Park or the Small Oak Grove near the Kaunas County Public Library.
Visualizations of the “Kaunas plan”/Next year, a sculpture of the Grand Duke of Lithuania and King of Poland Alexander Jogailaitis will be erected in Kaunas
Such possible alternatives were not chosen by chance – they are spaces visited by Kaunas residents and guests of the city, decorated with works of artists, monuments commemorating historical events and accents given to Kaunas by countries and cities related to Kaunas.
Voting takes place online: www.kaunas.lt/karaliska-dovana-kaunui/. The citizens’ decision is expected by December 8.
The municipality also invites residents to suggest other possible locations.
The elements of the pedestal will also be oriented according to the chosen place, so the details related to the insights of historians and the results of archival research will be poured at the latest.
The unveiling of the monument is planned for 2024, during a state or city holiday.
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2024-08-05 18:11:00
