Stalin's image on new bust sparks outrage in Lithuanian town

A recent unveiling of a bust honoring Lithuanian director, actor, and playwright Boris Dauguvietis in Biržai has ignited an unexpected scandal. Local residents and officials were taken aback to discover a Soviet-era award bearing Joseph Stalin's image affixed to the sculpture's lapel.

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The council made a decision, but clearly, no one in their wildest dreams imagined that in the 36th year of independence, a monument with Stalin's portrait on its lapel could arrive.

The bust, originally from Vilnius's Theater Square and later stored, was restored and funded by the Vilnius municipality before being gifted to Biržai. The unveiling ceremony, intended to celebrate Dauguvietis, quickly shifted focus to the controversial detail on his chest. "The council made a decision, but clearly, no one in their wildest dreams imagined that in the 36th year of independence, a monument with Stalin's portrait on its lapel could arrive," said Irutė Varzienė, an opposition council member in the Biržai district.

Following the discovery, the bust attracted curious onlookers. Some expressed disbelief at the public display of Stalin's image, while others admitted they hadn't noticed it from afar and came to inspect it more closely. Municipal representatives explained that the Stalin image is very small and barely visible from a distance. They suggested it could serve as a prompt to discuss Lithuania's difficult historical periods, noting that not all Lithuanians emigrated, and some continued to live and create within the country.

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That little Stalin, if someone comes up to look, it's not that visible. So it's precisely an opportunity to talk about those times. Not all Lithuanians left for America, not all became emigrants – others lived here, created, and somehow adapted.

Further examination revealed that the bust displays more than one Soviet award. One is identified as a badge for the Stalin Prize received by Dauguvietis, and another is linked to his membership in the then-Lithuanian SSR Supreme Soviet. Biržai Mayor Kęstutis Knizikevičius stated that these details were not closely examined during the decision-making process, as the focus was on Dauguvietis's artistic contributions. However, Varzienė considers the situation a serious error, calling it "complete illiteracy" and a "bomb," especially in the current geopolitical climate.

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The orders, frankly, we didn't look at them, because we evaluate his work. He was an artist, a theater person, there is no political connotation in his biography. We made the decision that he could represent our region.

The municipality is now contemplating its next steps, with one option being the removal of the Soviet awards from the bronze bust. Officials confirmed that this would be technically feasible if the public supports the decision.

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This is complete illiteracy. I think it's a kind of bomb, especially in the current geopolitical context. It looks like complete lack of foresight.