Coalition of citizens concerned

about the destruction of the

Missionary complex
ensemble
22 November, 2017, Vilnius
 Who we are here
Introduction

Asta Bakauskait, Old Town community

chairwomen
Sakalas Gorodeckis, Coalition of Vilnius
communities chairman, Uupio Respublika

Members, Supervisory Commission for the Preservation and Sustainable

Use of the Outstanding Value of the Vilnius Historic Centre

20140418 Konferencija Valstybs urbanistin

politika siekiant darni gyvenviei
http://www.misionieriai.com/
Who and why we are here
Coalition of community associations, citizen action groups,
NGO organizations and concerned citizens worldwide who
are striving to stop the destructive new construction of a
modern apartment building complex within the Missionary
complex territory. This coalition includes several members
of the Parliament of Lithuania, scholars, historians,
architects, archaeologists, historical preservation experts,
geologists, writers, poets, artists and citizens who are
committed to the conservation, protection, use and
enhancement of our cultural heritage.

http://www.misionieriai.com/
 Why we are here
May 22, 2017 we sent a Petition to UNESCO requesting immediate
assistance. The petition now has 3000+ signatures

Our concerns
1. The status of dialog communities-municipalities-authorities.
2. Destruction of the Missionary ensemble, which has
tremendous Outstanding Universal Value. This site was
nominated as an outstanding architectural ensemble with a
landscape which illustrates significant stages in human history.

3. Lack of management of Vilnius Old Town cultural heritage.

Pseudo instead of actual actions by the Site manager.
4. Business $ and driven approach prevails.
20140418 Konferencija Valstybs urbanistin
politika siekiant darni gyvenviei
http://www.misionieriai.com/
 Missionary ensemble history
The Vilnel river valley is one of oldest settled and
urbanised areas in Vilnius.
Recent Missionary ensemble history began in XVII.

http://www.misionieriai.com/
Missionary ensemble history
Tsar government prosecutions in XIX century.
Missionaries monastery re-established in 1920 with
gardens & complete ensemble territory intact.

http://www.misionieriai.com/
Missionary ensemble history
Utilisation for hospital during soviet time.
Restitution of property by Lithuanian Republic.
Should have become public park & conservation area.

http://www.misionieriai.com/
 UNESCO Convention: Objectives of
protection & conservation
Once a site is included on the World Heritage List, it is expected that
the values & conditions which give it universal significance, and
which make it an outstanding example, will be maintained on a
permanent basis. Actions which reduce authenticity or values of the
site are not acceptable after the site is listed.

http://www.misionieriai.com/
Missionary ensemble history
Projects & initiatives which had been planned
Choir uoliukas school 2006
Misionieriai gardens 2011

http://www.misionieriai.com/
Missionary ensemble story
Change of owners. Corruption before and after
privatization. Regulations changed specifically for the real
estate developers benefit.
Bribes trials 2012, STT corruption investigation begins
2008
Open architectural competition 2014 by the developer,
endorsed by government officials and public not involved.
At this time the ensemble parcel was one unit not two!
The split of parcel to two units 2015, confirmed by hidden
change of regulations at Ministry of Culture

http://www.misionieriai.com/
Missionary ensemble story
Municipality did not inform the public about project
submittals which they received in 2016 for the
construction permit.
Vilnius Municipality issued construction permit in 2017.
Construction begins 2017.

http://www.misionieriai.com/
Story context, heritage area
Supervisory commission in name only, Ministry of Culture
Complicated and contradictory Old Town project plan
evaluation procedures, Department of Culture Heritage
Back room, hidden decisions, Vilnius municipality
The conflicts of interest, ICOMOS LT
The site manager does not seek to protect and conserve as
outlined in the UNESCO Convention, VSAA
Falsified evaluations by ICOMOS LT
They were hired by the real estate developer to evaluate only
half of the Missionary ensemble. The Site Commission should
have done a complete evaluation given the Outstanding
Universal Value of this site.

http://www.misionieriai.com/
Story context, authorities
Government authorities choosing quick cash new development instead
of cultural heritage conservation which has long-term value.
Untouchable and nonaccountable government officials.
High level corruption and pressure to please real estate developers.
Bribing cases confirmed by court decisions are still valid.
Questionable actions of Catholic Archdioces during last decades.
The real situation is misrepresented to society. Citizens unaware.
Raised civil society focus and awareness of the situation is silenced.
Lack of trust based on long history of corruption.

http://www.misionieriai.com/
What we expect
Clear and swift message of UNESCO authorities to Lithuanian
governmental bodies about threats and Heritage in Danger.
Admission by state authorities of their mistakes in the
regulations and permissions.
Stopping construction of the new apartment buildings within the
Missionary ensemble.
Clear open path of decisions focusing the preserving heritage
instead investor driven decisions.
Eliminate corrupt government officials, authorities and staff
working with the UNESCO World
Heritage sites.
The message of policydecisions
regarding Misionieriai will set a
precendent to authorities and real
estate developers.

http://www.misionieriai.com/
 Warning
A medieval legend about Vilnius basilisk living in
Misioniery hill undergrounds is not denied yet.

20140418 Konferencija Valstybs urbanistin

politika siekiant darni gyvenviei
http://www.misionieriai.com/