There are a lot of culture heritage objects in Lithuania that are not included in State protected objects list or are not supervised as good as possible. Various institutions constantly dodge the responsibility for derelict manors, parks, graveyards and etc.

Tangible heritage (manors, parks, churches) are extremely frail because of human destructive behavior and the problems is that it‘s very difficult to preserve heritage without help of people. That‘s why it‘s of great importance to pay society and government attention to this issue. So M. K. Čiurlionis Culture and Heritage Fund (hereafter – Fund) started to solve this issue from the background – society education about tangible Lithuanian heritage conditions, the opportunities of using it, history and evaluation. The key role here plays the members of society. Active people are taught and stimulated to be initiative and preserve Lithuanian culture and its heritage independently.

 

„Active civil initiative for National heritage preservation 2008-2009“is the cycle of lectures, exhibitions, coaching, discussions, consultations and meetings with various specialist in different Lithuanian places about tangible Lithuanian heritage, it‘s relevance, preservation and further evaluation.

In most of those manors lived and created well known and deserved culture and politics representatives where a lot of important decisions were done. Moreover manors were culture centers of region and this is why it‘s relevant to preserve, search for possibilities for restoring tangible heritage – manors, parks, churches. For example, establishing culture centers in manors, recreation zones in parks and etc.

Mini poll confirmed that society want to take part in this activity, but they don‘t know how, what and why it‘s worth to do that. In addition to this Fund has noticed that not always the jewel in the crown is preserved the most.

On the basis of previously mentioned issues Fund prepared society and active members of it education program. The target of this program is to pay society attention to heritage problems and increase consciousness and understanding that tangible heritage is a part of Lithuania and it‘s people culture, values and sameness.

Each method will take place in chosen object. It might be manor, park, graveyard, church or any other tangible heritage place. To meetings with local people we will invite well known specialists: architects, historians - explorers, heritage specialists, nature protectors, parks explorers, arts explorers, philologists, literati, ethnologists, folklore specialists, politicians and others. Specialists will prepare lectures, present reports on topic of heritage preservation of the object where they are and if the lecture will take place in manor they will tell about people who lived there. Also lecturers, together with local communities and state representatives, will discuss about present issues, will try to find opportunities and create a plan how to tend the object that it will be transmitted to future generations well looking and groomed. After the first part of meeting we will prepare special art program (concert, theater, exhibition or other activities).

Such meetings and lectures help to get in touch with state representative for local communities and more over they will be provided with the information where to ask for support, consultations and etc. The understanding of heritage value provides the motivation to protect it and helps properly evaluate heritage object. What is more this will be useful for whole society in Lithuania.

It’s necessary to mention that lectures will be very attractive and understandable for any audience – city youth’s, old village women and city officers. Visual material and thoughts of well known people about heritage object guarantees extraordinary society interest.

Fund will ask painter to perpetuate each heritage object. At the moment we already have more than 30 paintings from various painters. This collection is constantly growing and is used during architecture, history and other lectures in universities. If we will have financial possibilities we plan to produce a book “Lithuanian manors”. Also information about each meeting will be published in national and regional newspapers and televisions. By using media we can guarantee that society will know about relevant Fund raised issues, project and events.

Since 2006 summer Fund already established more than 60 similar events (~1,6 event per month).

The year 2007 was dedicated for wooden heritage. During 2008 and 2009 we want to incorporate new are – national and regional parks. In this case Fund will communicate with park directorate, clubs and interested people, will encourage clear and groom parks.

 

Raise active civil initiative for preserving national heritage.

Pay attention to endangered tangible cultural heritage (manors, parks, churches) and national parks grooming and using issues.

Inform local communities about valuable heritage objects in their region, present cultural and historical value.

Attract interested people and companies to invest into parks recreation and tourism areas creation. In addition to this tangible heritage restoration, care and usage (culture and tourism centers establishment).

Attract as much as possible media attention to project to help to spread information about heritage, analyze existing issues and promote future events.