The 700th Anniversary of Vilnius
Vilnius, the ruler’s city, was first mentioned in Gediminas’ letter on January 25, 1323 - this was the first known mention of the eternal capital of Lithuania in written sources
By National Museum – Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania
Author - Martynas Gaubas, patrons - Ina and Darius Zubas, photo - Vytautas Abramamauskas, Vilnius Club's gift
Sculpture 'Gediminas' letter' front (21st Century) by Author - Martynas Gaubas, Patrons - Ina and Darius Zubas, Photo - Vytautas AbramauskasNational Museum – Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania
Who is Gediminas?
Grand Duke of Lithuania Gediminas (born ca 1275, reigned 1316–1341), often referred to in sources as the “king of the Lithuanians and many of the Ruthenians”, was one of the most eminent rulers of Lithuania.
What are the letters of Gediminas?
Gediminas dictated his famous letters to Pope John XXII, the cities of the Hanseatic League and Franciscan and Dominican fraternities, in which he invited merchants, craftspeople and artisans, peasants, knights and monks to come to Vilnius.
Lithuania ruled by Gediminas became a home for people of various nationalities and faiths; both the Byzantine Eastern and the Latin Western cultural traditions could thrive here.
Vilnius is celebrating its 700th anniversary in 2023. The Vilnius Club has taken the initiative to commemorate this anniversary and special historical fact accordingly by creating a memorial to be positioned near Gediminas’ castle tower.
Sculpture 'Gediminas' letter' profile (21st Century) by Author - Martynas Gaubas, Patrons - Ina and Darius Zubas, Photo - Vytautas AbramauskasNational Museum – Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania
The Oaths of Gediminas, Grand Duke of Lithuania, to Vilnius
The most important oaths in Gediminas’ letters stand for the freedom of movement – of both people and ideas. These letters were aimed at free individuals unbridled by constraints regarding travel or settlement, and who wished to contribute to the creation of a civil society.
Sculpture 'Gediminas' letter' bottom (21st Century) by Author - Martynas Gaubas, Patrons - Ina and Darius Zubas, Photo - Vytautas AbramauskasNational Museum – Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania
The idea to memorialize the oaths given by Gediminas, which connect the past with the present, was dictated by the tradition fostered by the Vilnius Club.
To mark the city’s anniversary each year by reading a letter, dedicated to the capital and its population, written by prominent figures.
The author of this memorial, titled The Oaths of Grand Duke of Lithuania Gediminas to Vilnius and Lithuania, is the sculptor Martynas Gaubas, patrons – Ina and Darius Zubas. The texts from Gediminas’ letters were selected by Professor Rimvydas Petrauskas.
Sculpture 'Gediminas' letter' (21st Century) by Author - Martynas Gaubas, Patrons - Ina and Darius Zubas, Photo - Vytautas AbramauskasNational Museum – Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania
The memorial – the Vilnius Club’s gift to Vilnius to mark the occasion of its 700th anniversary – has been given over to the National Museum – Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania to preserve for posterity -
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