According to Ričardas Zulcas, Director of the Municipal Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the monument to the founders is the city’s respect for its past and an inspiration for future generations.
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“The perpetuation of memory helps to form a unique city identity that we can be proud of and pass on to others. The city is strong in its history, and the monument to the city’s founders will allow us to maintain a living connection with our roots, remind us where we came from, and help us better understand who we are today,” R. Zulcas said in a comment to BNS.
“The monument is a thank you to those who had the vision to see a future city in an empty place and the courage to turn that vision into reality. It is not only a tribute to the past but also a strengthening of the vision for the future, encouraging all of us to become active creators of our city,” he said.
The idea to erect a monument, according to the municipality, arose after receiving an initiative from the public – in April 2024, an appeal was received from the Klaipėda St. Francis of Assisi Monastery.
Later, this issue was discussed by the Working Group for the Commemoration of Famous People, Historical Dates and Events, which unanimously approved the idea of commemorating the city’s founders.
“It was decided that it would be appropriate to honor not one person, but the entire historical community that contributed to the city’s emergence,” said the municipal representative.
The municipality has announced a competition for the design and construction project of the monument. The submitted project must include artistic, architectural, and technical solutions for the memorial work, and its integration into the chosen location.
No more than 150 thousand euros are planned to be allocated for the works. Projects whose proposed price exceeds the set maximum amount will be rejected.
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It is also planned to award monetary prizes to the participants who took the first three places.
Only one participant, who collects the most points and meets all qualification requirements, will be declared the winner of the competition.
According to the municipality, two possible locations are planned for the memorial – on the bastion of Klaipėda Castle near the flag or on Žvejų Street, in front of the “La Familia” restaurant, at the site of the current weather vane.
“Competition participants will be able to choose which location best suits their proposed artistic idea,” said R. Zulcas.
The beginning of the city of Klaipėda – then Memel – is associated with August 1, 1252, when Bishop Heinrich von Lutzelburg of Courland and Master Eberhard von Seine of the Livonian Order concluded an agreement on the establishment of a castle and a city at the confluence of the Dangė and Nemunas – Memel – rivers.
The first wooden Memelburg castle was built in the autumn of 1252. A settlement began to form around the castle, which later became a city.
The city’s founders granted Klaipėda Lübeck rights in 1257–1258. In the current territory of Lithuania, Klaipėda is the first city to receive self-governance rights.
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