Draft

Draft RESOLUTION OF THE SEIMAS OF THE REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA ON THE RESTORATION OF THE CHARACTERISTIC ELEMENTS OF THE HISTORICAL GHETTO IN VILNIUS September 19, 2000 No VIII-1947 Vilnius The Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania, taking into account a special significance of Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, in the history of the world Jewish community, emphasising the endeavour of the public and the State of Lithuania to protect and preserve the heritage of Jewish culture which has been created in Lithuania throughout the centuries, supporting the position of the Government to restore the characteristic elements of the historical ghetto of Vilnius, laid down in Resolution No 305 “On the Preservation of the Heritage of Jews in Lithuania” adopted on March 18, 1999, seeking to preserve and bring into focus the elements in memory of the victims of the Holocaust in Vilnius, supporting the guidelines proposed by the Commission set up to formulate the programme for the restoration of the characteristic elements of the historical ghetto in Vilnius, counting on the wholehearted support of the world Jewish community for the restoration of the elements of the historical ghetto in Vilnius, has decided as follows: Article 1 To approve the restoration of the characteristic elements of the historical ghetto in the Old Town of Vilnius. Article 2 To recommend: 1) To the Government - to approve by December 1, 2000, the Programme for the Restoration of the Characteristic Elements of the Historical Ghetto in Vilnius designed under the Government resolution of March 18, 1999 “On the Preservation of the Cultural Heritage of Jews in Lithuania”; 2) To the Government - and the Vilnius Municipal Council to approve on the basis of the programme referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article the assignment of vacant lots in the Old Town of Vilnius for the restoration of the characteristic elements of the historical ghetto of Vilnius; 3) To the Government - to hold international tenders with the aim of attracting investment necessary for the implementation of the programme of the restoration of the characteristic elements of the historical ghetto in Vilnius. CHAIRMAN OF THE SEIMAS VYTAUTAS LANSDBERGIS OF THE REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA Submitted: by the Committee of Education Ž.J. Jackūnas Science and Culture Human Rights Committee E. Zingeris EXPLANATORY NOTE To the Resolution of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania On the Restoration of the Characteristic Fragments of the Vilnius Historical Ghetto Seeking to preserve the historical heritage of Jewish culture in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, pursuant to item 1 of Decision No 305 “On the Preservation of Heritage of Jews in Lithuania” of March 18, 1999, the Government instructed the Ministry of Culture to form a special commission for restoration of the characteristic elements of the historical ghetto of Vilnius. This project has been designed with account of the recommendations of the above commission. The objective of the resolution is to create adequate conditions for restoration of the typical elements of historical ghetto of Vilnius in the following squares of the Old Town: 1. Restoration and refurbishment of the Grand (Chief) Synagogue, Ramaileso Lane and the territory around them in quarters 32, 33 and 34 (Žydų and Antokolskio Streets) of the Old Town of Vilnius; 2. Restoration of an element of the historical ghetto with the former structures of Mėsinių Street and the Jewish Bank in quarters 55 and 60 of the Old Town of Vilnius (Rūdininkų, Dysnos, Ašmenos and Mėsinių Streets); 3. Restoration of an element of the historical ghetto with the Ghetto Gate in quarter 37 (Šv. Jono,. Gaono and Švarco Streets. In order to make restoration conform with the principles of heritage protection, it is advisable to discuss the concept of restoration with international experts. For this purpose a conference- seminar shall be held in Vilnius on May 3, 2000, organised by the Department of Protection of Cultural treasures and the Institute of Dispersed Ethnic Minorities of Europe. At present a public company “The Institute of Restoration of Monuments” is working on a feasibility study of the project.