The derelict Palace of Concerts and Sports in central Vilnius could become a museum or memorial dedicated to the history of Lithuanian Jews, Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė has suggested in an interview with LRT.lt.
The edifice, constructed in the late 1960s, is listed as heritage. However, plans for its reconstruction has attracted controversy because it stands on a former Jewish cemetery.
Read more: Vilnius court dismisses claim to stop Sports Palace reconstruction on old Jewish cemetery
While the previous government planned to refit the building into a conference venue, Šimonytė says her cabinet is considering the idea of turning it into a Jewish museum. She mentioned the Polin Museum of the History of Polish Jews in Warsaw as a good example.
“For the whole past year, we have held consultations on ways to change the attitude and agree that this place, which has special significance for Lithuania's Jewish history, should be dedicated to the history of Lithuanian Jews and it should be told there. Be it a museum, a memorial or a specific object for that purpose,” Šimonytė told LRT.lt.
She also noted that ongoing discussions with representatives of the international Jewish community are raising challenges for the building's reconstruction and repurposing.
“We will look into whether we can offer the public a good solution of the use of that space to make it dedicated to the history of Lithuanian Jews. Not only to the Holocaust, but just to tell the whole story what we've known for centuries and what we lost,” Šimonytė said.
On Thursday, Vilnius Mayor Remigijus Šimašius welcomed the prime minister's suggestion. He said the previous government's decision to terminate the convention centre project was a mistake “but the commemoration of the history of the Jewish people in this sensitive place is a very good choice”.
Read more: Vilnius to reconstruct Sports Palace with ‘due respect’ to Jewish cemetery
“I do expect from the government not only words but specific financial commitments related to these decisions. Trough dialogue with the [Jewish] community about the use of this palace (which I have already started), we will definitely find the best solution,” the mayor posted on Facebook.
There have been plans to turn the building into a conventions centre since 2015 when Turto Bankas (Property Bank), the state-owned property manager, took over the property.
The start of reconstruction works has been postponed several times since then.
The project also faced resistance from some Jewish communities, since the complex is situated in the territory of an old Jewish cemetery that dates back to the 16th century.
Read more: Mapping layers of trauma in Lithuania's built heritage. Interview with Tatiana Pinto
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