Program of Concept:
copyright 1995 Julie Minkunas
I. Memorial and Public Park
The design of the memorial is intended to effectively symbolize the history and future of the
immortal Lithuanian Spirit. Its location is Lukiskiu Square, a historically symbolic site, in the heart
of the urban setting of Vilnius. This square, one of several urban parks in Vilnius, is to continue to
serve as a public gathering place, as it has been throughout its existence as an open space within
this city. It will also be responsive to the significant historical elements found in monumental
Lithuanian architecture, such as a court-like green space surrounded by built forms. This
memorial is planned to exist on several planes, in both above ground and subterranean levels,
allowing for the landscape design to retain its "greening" character for the city of Vilnius.
II. Information Center
This area is to display representative exhibition spaces, used for the display of historic Twentieth
Century information from 1918 to the present. In addition to areas devoted to the past, there is a
space devoted to future events, such as lectures on human rights, conferences, and changing
exhibits.
Entrance Lobby: Information desk, Circulation distribution
Commercial (book store, storage, toilets, telephones: 150 sq.m.)
A. Permanent Exhibition (2000 sq.m.)
1. Era of Enlightenment (End of 19th Century - National Renaissance, Education and Land
Reform, Democracy: cultural and religious freedom)
2. Era of Terror (World War II: Soviet propaganda, legislation, Soviet deportations,
displacement / exodus, confiscation of private property, national resistance. Post-War
Occupation: Installation of KGB, partisans, ethnic extermination, martyrs, prisons, harassment,
atheism, worship of Stalinism and Leninism, religious resistance, underground literature,
resistance of Lithuanians abroad)
3. The Road to Freedom (A cry for self-determination, Glasnost, The Singing Revolution,
martyrs in the final Soviet crackdown, international efforts of lithuanians to call for world attention,
regaining Independence.)
B. General Film Reviewing Area (40 persons)
Continuous screening of films from each period of the Twentieth Century; related to film library
C. Conferences and Events (400 sq.m.)
Space for conferences, spontaneous events, and accommodating changing future cultural and
religious exhibitions
copyright 1995 Julie Minkunas
I. Memorial and Public Park
The design of the memorial is intended to effectively symbolize the history and future of the
immortal Lithuanian Spirit. Its location is Lukiskiu Square, a historically symbolic site, in the heart
of the urban setting of Vilnius. This square, one of several urban parks in Vilnius, is to continue to
serve as a public gathering place, as it has been throughout its existence as an open space within
this city. It will also be responsive to the significant historical elements found in monumental
Lithuanian architecture, such as a court-like green space surrounded by built forms. This
memorial is planned to exist on several planes, in both above ground and subterranean levels,
allowing for the landscape design to retain its "greening" character for the city of Vilnius.
II. Information Center
This area is to display representative exhibition spaces, used for the display of historic Twentieth
Century information from 1918 to the present. In addition to areas devoted to the past, there is a
space devoted to future events, such as lectures on human rights, conferences, and changing
exhibits.
Entrance Lobby: Information desk, Circulation distribution
Commercial (book store, storage, toilets, telephones: 150 sq.m.)
A. Permanent Exhibition (2000 sq.m.)
1. Era of Enlightenment (End of 19th Century - National Renaissance, Education and Land
Reform, Democracy: cultural and religious freedom)
2. Era of Terror (World War II: Soviet propaganda, legislation, Soviet deportations,
displacement / exodus, confiscation of private property, national resistance. Post-War
Occupation: Installation of KGB, partisans, ethnic extermination, martyrs, prisons, harassment,
atheism, worship of Stalinism and Leninism, religious resistance, underground literature,
resistance of Lithuanians abroad)
3. The Road to Freedom (A cry for self-determination, Glasnost, The Singing Revolution,
martyrs in the final Soviet crackdown, international efforts of lithuanians to call for world attention,
regaining Independence.)
B. General Film Reviewing Area (40 persons)
Continuous screening of films from each period of the Twentieth Century; related to film library
C. Conferences and Events (400 sq.m.)
Space for conferences, spontaneous events, and accommodating changing future cultural and
religious exhibitions
III. Archives - (As required)
This is a public research center, housing KGB archives, information on individual lithuanian victims,
interantional documents concerning Lithuania's occupation, and office space for its staff and
specific research organizations. It is planned to be located in underground levels. This is intended
to be a metaphorical response to the fact that the information provided was previously hidden from
the public, to the given historical character of Vilnius' subterranean chambers, and to the assumed
underground connection between the Square and the former KGB headquarters building, across
from the square.
Entrance Vestibule (Information desk, toilets)
A. Library: books, journals (300 sq.m.)
Computerized reference, librarian's office, copy area, reading area (30 seats)
B. Film, Slide, Audio Library (400 sq.m.)
Reviewing rooms for film and slides: two for individuals, one for fifteen persons
Tape listening booths (3 @ 2 sq.m. each)
C. Administration and Production (350 sq.m.)
Staff members' lab, storage, Conference area, Duplicating areea, Administrative offices:
principal director, budget director, program director, secretaries
Mechanical and Service area (as required)
This is a public research center, housing KGB archives, information on individual lithuanian victims,
interantional documents concerning Lithuania's occupation, and office space for its staff and
specific research organizations. It is planned to be located in underground levels. This is intended
to be a metaphorical response to the fact that the information provided was previously hidden from
the public, to the given historical character of Vilnius' subterranean chambers, and to the assumed
underground connection between the Square and the former KGB headquarters building, across
from the square.
Entrance Vestibule (Information desk, toilets)
A. Library: books, journals (300 sq.m.)
Computerized reference, librarian's office, copy area, reading area (30 seats)
B. Film, Slide, Audio Library (400 sq.m.)
Reviewing rooms for film and slides: two for individuals, one for fifteen persons
Tape listening booths (3 @ 2 sq.m. each)
C. Administration and Production (350 sq.m.)
Staff members' lab, storage, Conference area, Duplicating areea, Administrative offices:
principal director, budget director, program director, secretaries
Mechanical and Service area (as required)