We are becoming not only hospital but also rich hosts

Vytas Nenius, Director General of Department of Physical Education and Sports

Creating the best facilities for the Lithuanian sportsmen and talented youth, offering the best conditions for all residents of Lithuania to make sports are the short-tem tasks of the Department of Physical Education and Sports. Their realization should help our sportsmen to win even more important victories, make our society much more active and healthy.

Results are showing up

Huge attention attached to construction and renovation of sports centres in recent years has brought evident results. We are proud and happy of new modern arenas, improving conditions and facilities for sportsmen and the growing number population making sports.
The turning-point in improving sports facilities was larger budgetary allocations to their renovation and construction. Additional funds have arrived from Public Investment Programme: 2.5 million litas in 2002, 2 million litas in 2003 and 8 million litas in 2004. Money has been used for renovation and construction of Trakai Rowing Centre, S. Darius and S. Girënas stadium in Kaunas, Vilnius Vingis stadium, universal arena Sportima, Lithuanian Olympic Sports Centre, Vilnius track-and-field athletics centre, etc. Some objects will also receive public investment in 2005. A part of money will be allocated for continuing the old projects, also to Ðiauliai, Panevëþys and Alytus sports centres. It is planned that investment into sports centres from the state budget will mount to 10.32 million litas.
Lithuania's accession into the European Union has opened new possibilities for improving sports facilities and conditions. In this view our primary goal is fluent assimilation of EU structural funds in developing sports centres. Department of Physical Education and Sports assists sports organizations in preparing projects applying for the aid of structural funds. 7 projects are under preparation that are to be submitted to the Lithuanian Government asking to grant them the status of a project of national importance: construction of universal arenas in Kaunas and Klaipëda, expansion of Nemuno þiedas in Kaèerginë and opening of a safe traffic school, expansion of Winter Sports Centre in Ignalina, construction of football and other sports branches centres in Marijampolë, establishment of tennis complex-Vytas Gerulaitis academy in Vilnius, expansion of Kaunas yacht-club and tourism centre.
Every year, around 3 million litas is allotted from the Culture and Sports Support Fund to renovation and construction of sports centres in districts. This policy pursued since 2002 has proved to be right. The attention and financial support of the state induces regional authorities to manage better and invest more into the existing sports centres, as they see that they are not left alone and their initiatives are supported by the national bodies. We are already enjoying the first benefits: new swimming-pools have been opened in Ignalina and Marijampolë, swimming-pools in Kaunas, Anykðèiai and Rietavas have been renovated. The attention of national and municipal authorities has encouraged private investors.
However, the state alone is not capable of coping with all the needs and private investments into construction of sports centres are very welcome. According to the data of the department, 12 new sports objects with private investment of over 100 million litas were opened in 2001-2003, and the same investment were recorded in 2002 in opening some other 7 objects. Lithuanian Football Federation has invested 3.7 million litas, Þalgiris sports society - over 3 million litas, and municipalities - more than 10 million litas into the construction of Tennis World, Ice Palace, sports and fitness centres Olympic Gym, Impulsas in Vilnius, Àþuolynas in Kaunas, Þalgiris stadium sport complex in Kaunas, Michelalsen Centre in Klaipëda, etc. Quite recently, the first sports fans were invited to the modern and the best not only in Lithuania but all three Baltic States Siemens arena that actually is the best example of successful combination of the forces of the state, municipality and private investors.

Expecting home victories

After regaining independence, the number of international events organized in Lithuania is growing with every year. International organizations in granting Lithuania the right to organize important and large international competitions, on arranging which powerful states well-known in the sports world compete, show the trust in our small country, abilities of its sports organizers and achievements of Lithuanian sportsmen. In the period between 2001 and 2004, Lithuanian sportsmen won ??????? medals in World and European Championships: 248 in 2001, 247 in 2002, 258 in 2003 and ???????? in 2004. Among medal-winners are Virgilijus Alekna (discus throwing), Andrejus Zadneprovskis and Edvinas Krungolcas (modern pentathlon), Alvydas Duoniela and Egidijus Balèiûnas (canoeing), Rasa Polikevièiûtë and Edita Puèinskaitë (cycle racing), Þydrûnas Savickas (strong men's competition), Inga Neverauskaitë and Þivilë Raudonienë (body building), Edita Daniûtë and Arûnas Biþokas (sports dancing pair), dance sport team Þuvëdra, etc. Lithuania delegated 61 sportsman and sportswoman to the Athens Olympics 2004 and won 1 gold and 2 silver medals. Our small country ranked 45 among 202 participating countries and 75 medal-winners. The places from 4 to 8 are also regarded as prize places. 26 Lithuanian sportsmen, including the Lithuanian national men basketball team took these places.
Over ten international events are organized in Lithuania each year: world dance sport, triathlon, sports aerobics, youth rowing, European traditional karate, youth freestyle wrestling, acrobatic flying, youth basketball and other championships. With every year, more important and prestigious sports events are arranged in Lithuania. Here, well-equipped sports centres and facilities play a very important role. In 2005, Lithuania will host 12 international competitions, of which the most important are to be the European track-and-field athletics youth championship to be arranged on 20-24 July in Kaunas and World wrestling championship to be held on 19-26 June in Vilnius. The new Siemens arena will make the old dream of Lithuanians come true - in 2011 the European Men Basketball Championship will be arranged in Lithuania.
This is one side of the Lithuanian sports life dedicated to the great sports and mastership. Physical education is no less important in our life. The growing number of sports clubs welcome more and more people going in for sports. I might say that going to sports clubs is in vogue in Lithuania today. In 2001, there were 1323 sports clubs and 59 913 people visited them. In 2003 the number of sports clubs grew to 1375 and visitors - to 77 530. We are very happy about these figures, although it is evident that still there is room for growth. Annual sports festivals encourage Lithuanians to more actively go in for sports and lead a healthy way of life. Upon the initiative of the Department of Physical Education and Sports, in 2003 the 750th anniversary of the Lithuanian State - crowing the King of Lithuania Mindaugas was marked by sports games, in 2004 Lithuania was among 27 European states that participated in events dedicated to the year of Education and Sports and marked the year by children and youth festival Judëk ir tobulëk arranged on 1 May. The year 2005 will stand out by the VII World Lithuanians Sports Games to be organized on 30 June - 3 July that will welcome over a million of Lithuanians scattered all around the world.

NEW NORTHTOWN LIFE

After the Second World War the Northtown was the military territory of the soviet army. Garages for tanks and other military equipment, repairs workshops, fuel storages were situated there. After restoration of Lithuania's independence and withdrawal of the soviet army, buildings were adapted for civil needs.

UAB Siaures miestelis Vision
Targeted use of the company potential and experience in implementing the Vilnius City Development Strategy.

Advantages
Activities of Siaures miestelis coincide with the goals of the strategic city development plan and fully meet public interests.

Competence
* Over 20 direct investors attracted;
* over 150 companies established.
Over 3 thousand jobs have been created.
Around 0.5 billion of investment has been attracted.
Over 30 million litas of contributions to infrastructure have been collected.

Short-term goals:
* successful completion of assimilation of Ðiaurës miestelis territory;
* identification of new territories that could become objects for Ðiaurës miestelis activities;
* optimization of Ðiaurës miestelis structure.

In 1993, the non-profit company Ðiaurës miestelis was established to take care of this territory.
In 1998, the non-profit company Ðiaurës miestelis was reorganized into UAB Ðiaurës miestelis, the present-day owner of the territory. The company leases Northtown buildings. The income is used for realization of the main goals: financing of territory planning, design and development works, repairs and renovation of buildings, territory supervision. As of today, there are 18 buildings in the old part of the Northtown covering the total area of 25 350 m2. They house 70 mainly private capital tenants that rent about 21 110 m2 of the total area of buildings. The old buildings not allowed to be pulled down are adapted for administrative needs, shops, retail and wholesale, furniture shops, sewing companies, sports and exhibition halls, warehouses, recreational and cultural events, art workshops, etc.
Heritage protectors say that some Northtown buildings of the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries have historical value. It is not allowed to change their size and exterior during reconstruction. One of such buildings is the renovated building of the Lithuanian Telecom that previously housed barracks. The author of the reconstruction project Saulius Kaunas guessed that most probably it was not a barrack but rather living premises of officers or headquarters. A. Kaunas has designed modern interior, have not changed exterior and window forms. During the reconstruction, the old wall finishing was renovated, i.e. bricks were washed and impregnated.
In the end of 2001, P. Lukðio main street was built in Northtown. It has linked Kalvarijø and Þirmûnai streets, considerably enlivened the life in this commercial part of the city. P. Lukðio street and new buildings bury in oblivion the military past of Northtown. In November 2001 the Norwegian company Hakonlita built a modern supermarket Hyper Rimi in an area of 6 ha along the new P. Lukðio street. It is the largest RIMI supermarket in Northern Europe. The trading hall covers 10 000 m2. New jobs have been created for Vilnius residents. The huge supermarket was built in 197 days. The supermarket boasts the car-parking equaling to 5 football playing-fields.
During the construction of S. Þukauskas street in March-April 2002, the remains of French soldiers of the French-Russian war of 1812 were found in Northtown. The findings of the mass burial ground proved the hypothesis that soldiers of the Napoleon army had been buried here.
The public institution Northtown Technology Park was established in August 2002 with the aim to develop high-tech business and realize innovations stimulating programmes. The founders of the Northtown Technology Park are UAB Ðiaurës miestelis and the Republic of Lithuania Ministry of Economy. The Northtown Technology Park is situated in two renovated buildings in J. Galvydis street. They have well-arranged offices with all necessary communications adapted for the needs of information technology business. Offices are rented to high-tech companies with priority to those that create and develop innovations and expand their activities. The start-ups are offered the services of business incubators, reduced rates for the lease of premises, business consultations and offices.
The largest in the Baltic countries domestic electric appliances and electronics shop Ogmina was opened on the crossroad of P. Lukðio and J. Kubiliaus streets in September 2002. It has created many new jobs.
In 2003, J. Kubiliaus, K. Ladygos, V. Nagevièiaus, the largest part of S. Þukauskas streets with all engineering networks were built. The rationally planned engineering networks enable to meet the needs of all clients.
New streets help to conveniently reach commercial objects in Northtown and residential districts. Over LTL 40 million of private funds were used for building of engineering communications and streets in Northtown.
During the further expansion of streets, it is planned to prolong the S. Þukauskas and Apkasø streets making the latter straighter, to build Þygio street.
The largest in the Baltic countries specialized center of the interior and finishing materials Domus galerija was opened in November 2003 on Lukðio street. It has been included into the Lithuanian book of records. The two-storey center covers the area of 15 000 sq. meters, above which there is a four-storey building of modern economy-class offices occupying 4800 sq. meters. In the nearest future, AB Baltic shopping centers plans to build one more modern commercial center in an area of 5,8 ha on Lukðio street (in front of Hyper RIMI supermarket). The Northtown territory is almost fully exhausted. New modern 3-9 storey residential houses are built in the territory of 7,8 ha. The ground floors are inhabited by commercial, catering, law enforcement services, communication, medicine, press and household-services companies. The advantage of Northtown is that the upper floors of residential houses offer wonderful city panorama. Different investors have already invested about LTL 350 million into construction of commercial and residential objects.

STAY IN FRIENDSHIP WITH THE FOREST AND THE FOREST WILL ENRICH YOUR SOUL

Director of Nemencine State Forest Enterprise speaks abut the daily life of the enterprise

Speaking to the "Business and Exhibitions. Lithuanian Economic Review" journalist, Eligijus RYSKUS said, "Let's not talk about felling volumes and money earned that interests only our workers or the General Forest Enterprise. People are keener to know what we have done to make them feel in the forest at home, to understand that forests have owners and that all of us together must protect the greatest treasure of Lithuania - forests. People must stay in friendship with the forest, and the forest will enrich their souls and make their lives happier."

Cherishing the dearest values

Large forest areas administered by Nemenèinë State Forest Enterprise stretch from the border of Vilnius city up to Pabradë, reach the Belarus border and the centre of Europe. I once told my staff that our credo must be the model culture, growing reforestation volumes and well-arranged recreation objects. Telling it short, I wish all of us to cherish our most precious values and try to preserve them for the generations to come. This was, is and will be the major goal of our enterprise.
Our primary task is arranging the most popular recreation sites at the lakes. This meaning not only equipment of fire and camping places but also building parkings and recreation sites to be enjoyed by the whole family: sand boxes and swings for children to play and fireplaces for parents to make barbecue. Last year, we planned to spend 80 thousand litas for these purposes and actually did over 200 thousand litas. In 2005, the enterprise intends to give 150 thousand litas for infrastructure development but I think that new projects will demand more. Appetite comes with eating and so do our plans and intentions in wishing to make our forests and recreational sites more beautiful and more convenient for holidaymakers. The travellers should have noticed new rest sites put along the Nemenèinë road. Family bicycles tours are becoming very popular in Lithuania and so we have renovated a bicycle track. I myself live at the bicycle track and see many people enjoying their morning or afternoon bicycle rides. People may also stop and have rest or a snack in beautiful and cosy rest sites and we have plans to put several sculptures. However...

Wood sculptures - for gardeners, and litter - for foresters

... it's a great pity that not all people value and treasure the beauty. Many things are put in the value of money - people think that once a nice fretwork has been put in the forest it may be easily taken away. Only two out of four sculptures have survived on the Vilnius-Nemenèinë road. These are the largest and the heaviest fretworks, meanwhile the smaller and lighter sculptures were torn with foundations in a month and brought to private farmsteads or garden-plots. What has left is disappointment and heartburn that the money of our enterprise that could have been used for everyday needs, for example buying a car for a forester, were stolen by barbarians.

Modest askings instead of fines

Litterlouts are numerous and we fight with them in all possible ways and methods. Any stay in nature leaves its traces. Wishing to make them smaller, we put a reminder in posters, ad stands and brochures, "Let's all of us be masters of our Lithuania, let's behave in nature like you behave at home and do not litter". Alas, such words usually do not make the desired effect. For instance, all camping sites have pre-arranged firewood, people do not have to search or cut firewood, and what we find is fires made from all the available firewood and even litterbins.
To my opinion, not only foresters but all of us must fight littering in forests. Foresters hardly cope with this problem. Actually they have studied at the Agricultural Academy to do the foresters and not litter collectors' work. People must care about the nature from the early days of their childhood. If a father throws a stub from the car window, so his son or daughter will do the same when grown up. Serious problems start from trivial things. We all must look around us, start from our habits and behaviour and we will see that the nature and forests will become cleaner and we will fell in them happier.
Littering in the city will be, probably, said to be a small hooliganism, while littering in the forest is quite a normal phenomenon. Rich people come to forests in jeeps to throw out the rubbish. A forester puts down the car numbers, asks to collect the rubbish and what he receives is a rude answer. And that is the end of the story. Wishing to exact fines, a forester must make a photo, find witnesses (what is usually impossible) and still he will not be able to prove anything. We had some cases when we found documents among the rubbish. However they weren't of great help - the answer was simple "I threw rubbish in the dump site an do not wish to know anything". So what is left for us is collecting rubbish, as chasing after an impudent transgressor is senseless.

European Union and our enterprise

The EU membership has not actually bought any tangible changes to our work. We started introducing European technologies immediately after regaining Lithuania's Independence and are proud to be operating as modern technologies and equipment as in Europe.
Nemenèinë State Forest Enterprise has prepared a project on enhancement of fire prevention in forests and expects to receive the EU financing for its implementation. Pine prevails in Nemenèinë forests what causes larger fire danger. If the financing is approved, we intend to buy a new fire-engine. It will cost 250 thousand litas of which 200 thousand would be compensated. So far, we use our old fire extinction equipment. Actually, although the last couple of summers were very hot we somehow managed to escape forest fires.

Absence of hunting

- Dear director, after such a conversation you make me feel uneasily as if I am one of these litterlouts. Let's change the topic and turn to hunting. Is hunting popular in Nemenèinë forests? Do tourist-hunters look for game in them?
- Some years ago, our enterprise had many areas suitable for commercial hunting. However, as spruce mainly prevails in our forests and the wild animals do not eat it, the game was very poor and the hunting was becoming loss-making. We closed commercial hunting areas and gave them on lease to hunters' societies. All forests administered by the enterprise were rented to hunters. Until 2002, the lease of commercial hunting areas brought around 40-50 thousand litas to the enterprise. Some may think that the enterprise collected huge money with no efforts laid. However animals eat young trees and lots of money is spent for cultivation and planting of saplings. Wishing to have a healthy forest not damaged by wild animals foresters fence forest plants, spray trees with repelents that repel ungulates. The money received from the lease was used for compensation of one third of expenditure for protection of forests from the ungulates. In 2002, the Lithuanian Government passed a new resolution that does not allow forest enterprises to lease hunting areas and collect taxes. These activities have been passed to municipalities that as of today receive 70 percent of collected taxes and the remaining 30 percent go to the national budget.

- Has the opinion of forest enterprises been taken into consideration when drafting and passing a new resolution?
- Surely not. On the other hand, the ruling bodies have such a power and the right. We may only discuss the shortcomings or advantages of the resolution and share our ideas. I think that a forester must be the true owner and master of the forest, he must know everything what is happening in his forests, who goes for hunting and what is the game and must have at least a small voice in regulation of the number of animals. Today, the foresters have no right to participate in these processes.

- You have already tried to prove that the money earned could be used for a useful purpose you have mentioned, haven't you?
- Nobody asked our opinion about that. You are the first and although we may laugh at this situation, the things are not as they should be.

- However this system does not need to cover the whole Lithuania, does it?
- The uniform order and rules must be functioning all over Lithuania, they cannot differ by regions or counties. (Let's guess: will you be brave enough to publish my words? I would like to take you on a tour, visit all forest enterprises and show how large and how expensive their summer houses have been built in the most beautiful places. The original purpose of a forest is not allowed to be changed by any means, alas houses a built amid these forests...).

- Thank you very much for the interview and "the most pleasant" last words.

Interview by Alfredas Dominauskas

DECLARATION IS AN EASY AND QUICK PROCESS

State Tax Inspectorate has introduced and proposes to all residents a modern electronic declaration system which allows to easily fill in declarations, send them at any time of the day and also provides efficient feedback - residents are electronically informed about the acceptance of their declarations or any errors made.
Violeta LATVIENE, Head of State Tax Inspectorate under the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Lithuania is informing us in detail about residents' income and property declaration of 2004.

500 thousand declarations expected

County Tax Inspectorates started to accept people income and property declarations as of January 1. About 30 thousand people have already submitted their declarations. The forecast is that not less than 500 thousand persons will deliver their declarations by May 1. Quite a big share of people income, subject to work relations, is declared by their employers.

The experience from previous years shows that the majority of declarations are submitted by people who a willing to benefit from tax privileges and to receive refunds. These are people who pay for studies in the establishments of higher education, who have taken bank loans for buying housing facilities, and those who pay life insurance or private pension funds' contributions. Last year one more tax privilege was established for people who have purchased personal computers.
This year a onetime property declaration is ongoing in Lithuania. This property declaration will concern only those persons who up until 31 12 2003 had not registered property or other property, also including cash, the amount of which exceeded the limits provided in the laws.

Who is obliged to declare?

Tax Inspectorate does not send to people information notices on the obligation to declare. A person must decide himself/herself whether he/she is obliged to declare. Only he/she is aware whether he/she wants to benefit from tax privileges or had income for which taxes were not paid or whether he/she has not yet registered property.

In case a person wants to ask or clarify certain issues, he can address any State Inspectorate. He/she will get detailed and free of charge consultations. It is possible to make queries directly by visiting tax inspectorate, by telephone or by sending a letter. The questions can also be sent by e-mail and in such a case the reply will be sent back in the same way. A lot of information is also provided in the website of State Tax Inspectorate under the Ministry of Finance. The address of the website is www.vmi.lt.

An easy way to fill in the declaration

People do not face additional problems while filling in the declarations. The aforementioned website provides all electronic declaration forms and instructions on their filling in. Electronic declaration filling software is developed in such a way that many mistakes are corrected automatically.
The examples for filling in declarations are available in all state inspectorates. Inspection specialists are always ready to advise and consult.
Tax Inspectorate will organise an open doors' day in all counties in March during which a particular attention will be paid to those people submitting onetime property declarations or income declarations.
The filled in declaration may be delivered to Tax Inspectorate, may be posted or sent by e-mail. Electronically declarations can be submitted via electronic declaration system in the internet or can be delivered to the County State Tax Inspectorate in any electronic means - floppy or CD.

Possibility to correct mistakes

In case a person due to ignorance or lack of concentration makes formal or content related mistakes, then a list of mistakes is established which is then sent back to the person who filled in the declaration. The Tax Inspectorate indicates the deadline until when the mistakes must be corrected.
Last year all people who have submitted correct declarations on time received income tax refunds without any delays, i.e. until July 31. Refunds were paid later to these people who had to complement, correct or re-submit their declarations.
Currently an information programme is being developed which would allow receiving refunds expediently, approximately in 3 weeks period after submission of declarations. This programme will only be used for electronically submitted declarations.

Operational electronic declaration system

State Tax Inspectorate encourages people to more actively use electronic declaration means. Electronic declaration system (EDS) is already operational. This system allows filling in and submitting declarations in electronic format - by internet or in electronic means.
Having submitted declaration electronically there is no need to deliver it in paper. Electronic declaration is time saving and ensures automatic checking of technical and logical mistakes. Electronic declarations can be submitted at any time of the day and there is no need to go to the tax inspectorate. At the same time efficient feedback is ensured. The person who is filling in the declaration can check in the internet about the acceptance of the declaration or about mistakes discovered in the submitted declaration.
The data of electronically delivered declarations are more quickly and easily processed and prepared for storing in the State Tax Inspectorate, therefore the refunds will be faster reimbursed to those people who will submit declarations in electronic format.

Responsibilities of residents

Income declarations are submitted not only seeking to receive refunds. The declaration of taxable income for which taxes have not been paid provides calculations of mandatory payable income tax. Those who fail to declare this income on time, later are obliged to pay not only taxes, but also fines and penalties.
Onetime property declaration should also be taken seriously. In case a person on 31 12 2003 had a non-registered property or cash and fails to declare it , later on this undeclared property will not be considered as source for procuring other property. .
People are responsible for the accuracy of the declared data. For submission of intentionally wrong data not only administrative, but also criminal charges might be applicable.

A WISH TO IMPROVE MOOD SUGGESTS AN IDEA

The gallery Vitrazo manufaktura established in Stikliai Street in Vilnius houses not only interesting stained-glasses but also introduces to their authors, invites to meet them personally and even learn to make art. The gallery was the place where we first met the artist Rûta LIPAITE-VINGRIENE.

"I was born in 1968 in Vilnius into the family of artists. My childhood and school years were spent in Tashkent, Sochi and Alytus. In 1987-1989 I studied glass design at the Kaunas Branch of Vilnius Academy of Fine Arts, and in 1989-1995 stained-glass arts at the Vilnius Academy of Fine Arts.
My creative wok began in 1990. I got to know glass and glass technologies not only during the years of studies but also at Nemunas glass plant in Beriozovka, Alekstonas plant in Kaunas and Auðra plant in Vilnius.
My pieces of art do not contain literature; they are just an attempt to improve our moods. I enjoy creating spatial stained-glasses. I think they could be popular; alas Lithuania does not have a glass plant that could technically realize them. Stained-glass is applied art carrying practical and educational meanings and inducing us to take a deeper look into our inner worlds.
My clients do not wish the stained-glass dominate in the window, they want the stained-glass go in harmony with the nature outside. This is how new ideas are born".

Lyglaukio St. 21B, Vilnius
Tel.: +370 5 215 31 64
Mobile: +370 699 426 60

VILNIUS CASTLES - THE HISTORIC HEART OF LITHUANIA

The establishment of Vilnius city, its origins are closely related to the early history of Vilnius castles. Therefore before starting the analysis of the history and architecture of Vilnius castles and their buildings written sources about Vilnius must be referred to. Letters of the Grand Duke of Lithuania Gediminas written in 1323 in Vilnius and sent to European craftsmen and merchants give a name to the old settlement at the confluence of Neris and Vilnia and the right to be called a city. The name of Vilnius was mentioned even earlier. The first known source is the British epic of X century "Widsith" mentioning "Wiolne and Wilna", while the XVI century chronicle of the Russian Voskresenskis speaks about Vilnius from 1129. The Karaite chronicle of XVII century says that Vilnius has been built in 1189-1190. The Teutonic Order in its letters to the Pope of Rome dating to 1388 said that in the XIII century the King of Lithuania Mindaugas had established the Vilnius See..."
(Napaleonas Kitkauskas, "Vilniaus pilys" (Construction and Architecture)

Director of Castle Research Centre Lietuvos pilys Eduardas KAUKLYS and leader of research programmes conducted by the Castle Research Centre Lietuvos pilys, Dr. Habil. in History Vytautas URBONAVIÈIUS have shared their ideas about the activities of the centre with the journalist Elena Berukstyte.

"When and why was the Castle Research Centre Lietuvos pilys established?"
"E. Kauklys. The centre was founded in 1988 by the resolution of the Presidium of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences with the aim to conduct research of the Rulers' Palace. Until then, a branch of the Lithuanian Institute of History carried out these functions and worked in the sphere of investigation of Lithuanian castles. The centre employs 40 people: archaeologists, architects and historians. Dr. Rutilë Pûkienë leads the dendrolaboratory, art research is under the leadership of Dr. Rûta Vitkauskienë. Doctors of Sciences Gintautas Rackevièius, Liudas Glemþa, Vytautas Urbnonavièius, Napaleonas Kitkauskas work in the Castle Research Centre. In specials cases, we invite specialists from the Lithuanian Institute of History, Vilnius Academy of Fine Arts, Vilnius University. The centre carries out research works in the territory of Vilnius castles, examines all finds - remains of buildings and foundations, evaluates them from the architectural aspect and gives recommendations for construction works. The Restoration Division of the centre may immediately investigate the freshest finds without their drying or loosing the value in any other way."
"What are specific features of the Rulers' palace?"
"V. Urbonavièius. Firstly I would like to say that the Rulers' Palace occupies nearly one tenth of the whole castle territory. The Rulers' Palace means not only buildings but also inner and outer courtyards; Arsenal situated in the north also belongs to the territory of Rulers' Palace.
"Rulers' Palace specific feature is that the remains of buildings of even three epochs are found on one and the same foundation. The first period dates to the age of gothic, ruling of the Grand Duke of Lithuania Vytautas. The second epoch was renaissance ruled by Þygimantas the Old, followed by Þygimantas Augustas. The fire of 1610 damaged the palace rebuilt in the style of baroque using the old gothic and renaissance elements under the rule of Vases (the Swedes - a father and two sons). Then the first professional theatre was founded in Lithuania. The palace of the last period is in the style of St. Casimir Chapel built by the same masters under the same orders and using the same building materials. The only difference is that in the Chapel we see sacral and in the palace secular art."
"How will the Rules' Palace look? How many times has the exterior been changed?"
"E.Kauklys. We wish and try to make the exterior of Rulers' Palace be the same as in P. Smuglevièius' drawings, and gothic, renaissance and baroque styles be reflected in individual halls. Our major goal is restoration of the authentic interior, collection of authentic things and making copies of lost items according to examples that have survived in Europe. Some elements, like window frames have been installed into the frames of the existing palace made of the same type of sandstone. The palace will have stoves of different epochs, some of them being exhibits made from glued tiles, etc. Stove imitations and fireplaces will be arranged in representation halls. They will be functioning and the designers have already planned openings, spaces and hollows in the walls.
"Reinforced concrete structures, foundations used in reconstruction of the Rulers' Palace are perforated or covered with metal piles fixed 14 meters deep. The authentic foundations will be exhibited with finds, household appliances, decorations and weaponry that are under research today."
"What is the present status in reconstructing the Rulers' Palace?"
"V. Urbonavièius. We have plans to roof two or even three buildings of the palace and pass over to interior works. Art researchers already work on the design of ceilings, walls, furniture and deco elements."
"What will be exterior and interior of the Rulers' Palace?"
"V. Urbonavièius. The physical appearance of the palace is only a small part of the complex project. The palace must pulsate in the spirit of old days and go hand in hand with the present-day needs. Only then we will have the living history. The Rulers' Palace will be a state institution of culture. It will unite museum activities and representation of the Lithuanian state, tourism and educational programmes"
"Several organization work on the project. How successful is their collaboration?"
"E. Kauklys. We are happy to have fruitful cooperation and work in team with the Vilnius Castle Directorate headed by the Saulius Petras Andraðiûnas, also with Panevëþio statybos trestas. However, the Lithuanian legislation establishes that the research and construction works are financed from one and the same budget. Therefore, when research works are to be formalized, there come misunderstandings and the building organization is even reproached of doing others' works and so on. Our wish would be to have separate financing for research works and construction and then, upon coordination of plans and programmes with Panevëþio staybos trestas and Vilnius Castle Directorate, the works would be carried out more smoothly."
"How would you view the future activities of your institution, Vilnius Castle Directorate and State Cultural Reservation of Vilnius Castle?"
"V. Urbonavièius. The task of the State Cultural Reservation of Vilnius Castles lead by Audronë Kasperavièienë is not only supervise the protection of cultural and natural monuments in the territory of Vilnius castles but also take care, conduct research and advocating such objects like the castle compelx, defence fortifications, Vilnius Cathedral, St Ann Church, hills of Three Crosses, Stalas and Bekeðas, Gediminas mound, the former Kirdëjai Palace. Vilnius Castle Directorate should continue to be an institution in charge of technical supervision of buildings: construction, restoration, conservation. Our centre that is a public institution will conduct research in the territory of Vilnius castles and prepare the research conclusions. The territory of Vilnius castles is huge and thus the research works should also continue after full restoration of the Rulers' Palace. The most immediate investigations will be carried in the Upper Castle, all measures are to be taken to prevent the erosion of the hill. So long as the research is not conducted, no ground works are allowed to be carried in this territory."
"The mass media published articles about large number of findings. Where are they stored?"
"V. Urbonavièius. As of today, we have over 300 thousand finds and they are stored in hangars and places, even not adapted for their storage. In this case, we breach the main principles of museology. The Rulers' Palace will not be adapted for storing museum values and it will house only limited number of exhibits. In the future, we will have to build special storages for the valuable finds".
"Your institution has recently moved to the new building. How does it meet your needs?"
"E. Kauklys. We are very happy to work in the new place, however we will stay here only for five years what causes additional problems. Research equipment, exhibits and their handling must be stored in one place. This instability brings certain uneasiness into the staff of our centre. The centre would wish very much to have constant work place what would make our activities more consistent and fruitful."

A TREE HAS ITS OWN DESTINY
All problems in Jonava forests have been successfully solved

Vytautas Dauksevicius, Director of Jonava State Forest Enterprise

Jonava State Forest Enterprise administers 36 379 hectares of forests. State forests cover 20 938 hectares, forests reserved for restoration of ownership rights occupy 3712 hectares and private forests make 10 200 hectares.
The land of Jonava is noted for high urbanization level, has a well-developed industry and economic activities. Annual felling volumes in state forests administered by the Jonava enterprise make 81.3 thousand cubic meters of which final felling accounts for 53 thousand cubic meters and intermediate felling - 17 thousand cubic meters.
Protected areas cover 18 percent of the total forest area; 5 state reserves have been established. Some historians say the name of Lithuania has originated from a rivulet Lietava running in the land of Jonava.

Burned area

Very hot and dry weather came to Lithuania in May 2004 reaching even 25 degrees above zero in the beginning of the month. Hot weather was accompanied by the strong wind. Even 7 forest fires were recorded on 5 May in forests administered by Jonava enterprise. The fire in Pageleþiai forestry destroyed even 103 hectares of forest in two hours. Forest plants and young trees were on fire, huge damage was done to the forest, nature and the environment. Alas, we should admit that a man who used and enjoyed the riches of the forest was the main fire cause.
As of today, we have made all arrangements for reforestation of the burned area: trees damaged by the fire have been felled, cut leftover and shrubs have been removed, access roads have been built and firebreaks have been arranged. The enterprise has applied for the support of EU structural funds. This spring, reforestation works were planned to be done in 55 hectares, planting pine, spruce, black alder and birch. Saplings are cultivated in our own nursery.

Forests in former military grounds

After the Russian army was withdrawn from Lithuania, Jonava State Forest Enterprise took over territories of the formerly military grounds. These were 800 hectares of wasteland formed in 1976 after forests were cut in occupied territories. The last troops of the soviet army left Jonava District on 31 August 1993. In Gaiþiûnai-Dumsiai forestry they held under occupation 8185 hectares of forest land. In 1976, even 1650 hectares of forests were taken from Dumsiai (former Uþusaliai) forestry to be used for military needs. Large areas were felled to arrange a military training ground where military training was organized and soldiers were taught to operate armoured military equipment. The army, when leaving, left the land absolutely devastated, some areas were covered only with sand, some became wastelands covered with low-value trees and shrubbery. Soon after the enterprise regained its rights to the land, reforestation works were started. We even did not loose our spirits when the first reforested 5 hectares were re-covered with sand. We stopped the travelling sand, reforested areas with low-value trees and shrubbery, built roads and arranged firebreaks. Recreation sites or water-ponds have been arranged in picturesque places. 382 hectares of former military grounds have been reforested in Dumsiai and Uþusaliai forestries, in other areas the forest has been formed from the self regenerating trees and shrubbery.

Forest plants in the industry-polluted zone

During the soviet times, large industrial enterprises were concentrated in Jonava District bringing huge pollution to the district and coniferous forests at the confluence of Neris and Ðventoji rivers. In the period between 1979 and 1980, around 823 hectares were destroyed due to the pollution. Reforestation works were started immediately and in 1981-1983 120 hectares of felled areas were reforested. At that time we did not know the reaction of saplings to chemical pollutants, their amount falling per hectare, etc. About 2000 hectares of forests were under very severe pollution. 400 hectares of these coniferous stands were fully cut down planning to use the same measures in the area of 450 hectares in the coming 2-3 years. The growth volumes in the area of 1150 hectares were very small what led to desiccation of stands. The felled areas for many years served as the sites for growing experimental forest plants: planting of different sorts of deciduous tress, like maple, ash, oak, poplar, birch. The first samples of larch were planted. However, we once again saw that deciduous forests mainly grew in fertile lands, while their cultivation in sand was very difficult. The lands of Jonava that were close to the huge plant of chemicals were infertile, sand soil was found at the confluence of Ðventoji and Neris rivers. Large pollution and the soil not suitable for deciduous trees were the reasons why the growth of the majority of plants was very poor, little by little they became extinct and were replaced by grass vegetation.
The plant stopped the production of nitrophoska in 1989. The amount and composition of pollutants became significantly smaller. After making the analysis of soil, examining tree growth peculiarities it was decided to use the "wall" of deciduous and pollution-resistant trees (oak, black alder, maple, others) to protect trees species (pine, birch, spruce) characteristic to this region and soil from pollution. In cooperation with the specialists of the Lithuanian Forest Research Institute, a project for reforestation of destroyed forests in the polluted zone was developed in 1998. Since the pollution volumes were diminishing, the project was successfully implemented. We highly hope that in some tens of years, we will see beautiful, productive and pollution-resistant forests rustling in our land.

Re-cultivation of operating quarries

Re-cultivation of operating quarries has demanded huge attempts of foresters and no less financing. Rizgoniai plant of non-ore building materials (today AB Rizgonys) was founded in 1975 in Upninkai local self-government administration of Jonava District. The enterprise was established to exploit gravel and sand extracted from quarries in the exceptional area of forests and agricultural land. After extraction of non-ore materials, recovery of saved surface soil and its spread at the thickness of 30 cm, some areas were given back to the former users in the period between 1987 and 1990. In these areas the forest enterprise planted forest and again it faced numerous and difficult problems. The thin layer of 30 cm was not enough for naturalization of trees. The layer underneath was a natural solid - gravel with clay and stones very wet in spring and hard as a rock after drying out in summer. The land needed deeper cultivation, and some lowlands had to be drained. We planted spruce, pine, black alder and birch. A part of planted areas was destroyed in dry weather, and we had to once again turn to reforestation. Today, these huge attempts and toil of foresters has ended in the area of 180 hectares of forest. On the other hand, it's a pity that these areas do not have an owner so far, they are reserved for privatization and there aren't actually people wishing to restore ownership rights to them. The forests are not planned to be passed to the state forest stock and so the re-cultivation of lands has come to a dead-end.
The chemical industry should take all measures to reduce the volumes of emitted pollutants, act closely with foresters-scientists in determining quantitative and qualitative composition of emitted chemicals and their spread in the territory.

Recreational objects

Jonava forests are very popular among holidaymakers. Every year, Jonava State Forest Enterprises makes investment into recreational objects larger, arranges new camping sites and repairs old ones. A rest site with a water pond has been established in Dumsiai forestry that is visited not only by holidaymakers but also forest inhabitants, like birds and animals.
 

SYNTHESIS BETWEEN CONSCIOUSNESS AND NATURE

Painter Jurate Mitaliene

I was born on 2 March 1960 in Ðiauliai. In 1984, I graduated from the Arts Faculty of Ðiauliai Pedagogical institute and left to live to Utena. I work as a teacher in an arts school, participate in group exhibitions in Lithuania and Latvia, plein-airs and have arranged three personal exhibitions.
Painting makes me the happiest person on earth. I recall crayons and a sketchbook being the dearest presents in my childhood. That sweet and special feeling left from the age of six that visited me when sitting at the table with blank white piece of paper is still in me.

Everything what exists and happens in nature is reflected in our souls, transforms and acquires new forms and structures. Colouristic blends and their interaction in the Universe have already been created by the God and they are perfect. We just have to notice them, record in our minds or reflect them in the works of art.
In accepting the Universe as a secret so far not cognised by a man, I am happy to be able, at least through a tiny clearance, to see and sense its infinite beauty, eternal vicissitude and transformation. We all are a part of this vicissitude, do not have or do not know either our origins or our ending. We all are fragmentary. Abstraction is also fragmentary art. My works do not contain literature, they are a small fragment of microcosm synthesis between consciousness and nature.

Taikos 75-13, Utena, Lithuania
Tel.: +370 673 435 37
juratei_m@yahoo.com
 

A Work of Art Always Finds Its Place and Space

The sculptor Rytis Jonas BELEVICIUS was born in 1963 in Plungë. In 1976-1982 he attended M. K. Èiurlionis Art School, in 1982-1990 studied sculpture at State Arts Institute. Rytis Jonas Belevièius joined the Lithuanian Artists' Association in 1999, was a guardian of VII and VIII bronze moulding symposiums, organizer of A. Belevièius commemorative exhibition.
R. J. Belevièius and his wife Rûta Ona Èigriejûtë raise daughters Laura (b 1988) and Emilija (b. 1996), and sons Jonas (b. 1994) and Benediktas (b. 2002).

An idea usually changes throughout the whole process of stone chiselling, wood carving or bronze moulding. The time and material bring their own corrections. Success or disappointment are said to be a very special experience for a sculptor: a work of art that usually demands huge investment either finds its place and space, or becomes a ghost in a studio.
I think that Lithuanian sculptors are among the most interesting in the world. Vilnius sculptors have a unique possibility to demonstrate their works at the annual bronze moulding symposiums arranged by the Lithuanian Artists' Association. This event is dedicated to Vilnius city hoping that the collection of small plastics selected by art critics, men of culture and architects will soon turn into large sculptures perfectly fitting the space of Vilnius. The city authorities have approved of the idea of a park of sculptures to be established in Bernardinai garden and Kûdros park.
New houses sprout in Vilnius one after another. Alas, I lack spirit and cosiness in them. I had many chances to speak with architects about works of art in architecture, and to my opinion the problem will be solved with our people becoming richer.
Surviving makes us universal artists. I participate in different competitions; create designs for monuments, Lithuanian current and commemorative coins, and tombstones. I organize and participate in symposiums and exhibitions. My best works are being born in the silence of my home.

Zilvino st. 84, Vilnius
Tel.: 231 81 68