Litewska polityka historyczna na przykładzie Starówki wileńskiej po 1990 roku
The Lithuanisation of the Old Town in Vilnius and Lukiski Square after 1990

Summary/Abstract: In the last few decades, memorial sites have been of great interest to both the public and political authorities. The political and economic transformation in Lithuania has led to major changes in the most representative memorial sites in the area of the Old Town and Lukiski Square in Vilnius. The study shows that memorial sites underwent significant changes after 1990. Firstly, a large number of Soviet relics were removed from this area. Secondly, memorial sites were subject to Lithuanisation, resulting in a new complex of monuments, a large number of new commemorative plaques and a radical renaming of streets. Consequently, this area lacks multiculturalism and historical heritage. New monuments refer to the core figures in Lithuanian history (Gedymin, Mendog, V. Kudirka) and selected multicultural elements (A. Mickiewicz, C. Szabad, Gaon, T. Shevchenko). They were supposed to consolidate society after the difficult political and economic transformation in 1990. At the same time, it is important to note that a large number of monuments set up in the Soviet period have survived and have already been adapted to the new political reality. After 1990, a lot of memorial plaques commemorating various events and distinguished people were put up – the bulk of these plaques refer to Lithuanian culture and history. However, not many of these memorial sites refer to the multicultural history of this area. During the period considered, streets in this area of the city were renamed. A significant number of street names glorifying the Soviet regime and its heroes were removed and the historical names of the streets were restored. As a result, a large number of new street names refer to Lithuanian culture and history. It should be noted, however, that not many of the new street names refer to the multicultural history of this place.

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