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Coordinates: 54°41′27″N 25°17′28″E / 54.69083°N 25.29111°E / 54.69083; 25.29111
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{{Short description|Indoor arena in Vilnius, Lithuania}}
{{Infobox venue
{{Infobox venue
| name = Vilnius Palace of Concerts and Sports
| name = Vilnius Palace of Concerts and Sports
| nickname = Sporto Rūmai
| nickname = Sporto rūmai
| image = [[File:Sportorumai.jpg|225px]]
| image = [[File:Sportorumai.jpg|225px]]
| fullname = Vilnius Palace of Concerts and Sports
| fullname = Vilnius Palace of Concerts and Sports
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}}
}}


'''Vilnius Palace of Concerts and Sports''' ({{langx|lt|Sporto rūmai}}) is an indoor [[arena]] in [[Vilnius]], [[Lithuania]]. The venue was opened in 1971. It was deemed unsafe and closed in 2004. Plans to reconstruct the venue received significant opposition from the Jewish community as the site is located on the grounds of the oldest [[Jewish cemeteries of Vilnius|Jewish cemetery in Vilnius]].
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'''Vilnius Palace of Concerts and Sports''', also known as the '''Sporto Rūmai''', is an [[arena]] in [[Vilnius]], [[Lithuania]]. It is located on the site of the Piramónt cemetery, the oldest [[Jewish cemeteries of Vilnius|Jewish cemetery in Vilnius]], which dates back to the late fifteenth century, when Vilnius was the capital of the [[Grand Duchy of Lithuania]].<ref name="liveliest">[http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/lithuanias-liveliest-cemetery Lithuania’s liveliest cemetery], 13 December 2015</ref> [[Russian empire|Russian authorities]] closed the cemetery in 1831. In 1935, the Vilna Board of Rabbis and the Vilna Gaon Synagogue in [[Tel Aviv]] protested the Polish municipal authorities' plans to construct a sports stadium there.<ref name="unearthed">[http://defendinghistory.com/document-unearthed-1935-tel-aviv-protest-against-plans-to-defile-the-old-vilna-jewish-cemetery/81800 Document Unearthed: 1935 Tel Aviv Protest Against Plans to Defile the Old Vilna Jewish Cemetery], 14 June 2016</ref> The [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] authorities destroyed the cemetery in 1949–1950 during the construction of [[Žalgiris Stadium]]. The Vilnius Palace of Concerts and Sports was opened in 1971. It was closed in 2004 and deemed unsafe.


The arena was capable of holding 4,400 spectators. It was primarily used for [[volleyball]] and [[basketball]]. In October 1988, the arena was the site of the Inaugural Congress of [[Sąjūdis]], the Reform movement which led Lithuania in achieving independence from the Soviet Union. It was also the site of the public funeral of 13 Lithuanians massacred by Soviet troops at the Vilnius television tower on January 13, 1991.
The arena was capable of holding 4,400 spectators. It was primarily used for [[volleyball]] and [[basketball]]. In October 1988, the arena was the site of the Inaugural Congress of [[Sąjūdis]], the Reform movement which led Lithuania in [[Act of March 11|achieving independence from the Soviet Union]]. It was also the site of the public funeral of 13 Lithuanians killed by Soviet troops at the [[Vilnius Television Tower]] during the [[January Events (Lithuania)|January Events]] of 1991.


The arena is emblematic of Communist Modernism. It is one of the few remaining sports arenas in this architectural style. Two other examples are the [[Hala Olivia]] in Gdansk, Poland, and the now destroyed [[Volgar Sports Palace]] in Tolyatti, Russia.<ref name="renovacijai">[http://www.alfa.lt/straipsnis/191218/Vilniaus.koncertu.ir.sporto.rumu.renovacijai.reikes.apie.100.mln..litu=2008-07-22_15-14 Vilniaus koncertų ir sporto rūmų renovacijai reikės apie 100 mln. litų] {{in lang|lt}}</ref>
The arena is emblematic of Communist Modernism. It is one of the few remaining sports arenas in this architectural style. Two other examples are the [[Hala Olivia]] in [[Gdańsk]], Poland, and the now destroyed [[Volgar Sports Palace]] in [[Tolyatti]], Russia.<ref name="renovacijai">[http://www.alfa.lt/straipsnis/191218/Vilniaus.koncertu.ir.sporto.rumu.renovacijai.reikes.apie.100.mln..litu=2008-07-22_15-14 Vilniaus koncertų ir sporto rūmų renovacijai reikės apie 100 mln. litų] {{in lang|lt}}</ref>


==Controversy==
⚫
In August, 2015, Lithuania's Chief Rabbi [[Chaim Burshtein]] was dismissed by the [[Lithuanian Jews]] after he made a public statement opposing the conversion of the arena into a convention center.<ref name="name">{{cite web |last1=Sokol |first1=Sam |title=Lithuanian chief rabbi fired over cemetery dispute |url=https://www.jpost.com/Diaspora/Lithuanian-chief-rabbi-fired-over-cemetery-dispute-412310 |website=The Jerusalem Post |accessdate=2 January 2020 |date=17 August 2015}}</ref> In 2016–2017, a petition opposing the convention center received 38,000 signatures, many from descendants of Lithuanian Jews now living in other countries.<ref name="report">[http://www.timesofisrael.com/lithuania-reconsiders-plans-to-build-atop-former-jewish-cemetery-report Lithuania reconsiders plans to build atop former Jewish cemetery — report], 22 February 2017</ref>
⚫
The venue is located on the site of the Piramónt cemetery, the oldest [[Jewish cemeteries of Vilnius|Jewish cemetery in Vilnius]], which dates back to the late fifteenth century, when Vilnius was the capital of the [[Grand Duchy of Lithuania]].<ref name="liveliest">[http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/lithuanias-liveliest-cemetery Lithuania’s liveliest cemetery], 13 December 2015</ref> [[Russian Empire|Russian authorities]] closed the cemetery in 1831. The [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] authorities destroyed the cemetery in 1949–1950 during the construction of [[Žalgiris Stadium]].


⚫
In August 2015, Lithuania's Chief Rabbi [[Chaim Burshtein]] was dismissed by the [[Lithuanian Jews]] after he made a public statement opposing the conversion of the arena into a convention center.<ref name="name">{{cite web |last1=Sokol |first1=Sam |title=Lithuanian chief rabbi fired over cemetery dispute |url=https://www.jpost.com/Diaspora/Lithuanian-chief-rabbi-fired-over-cemetery-dispute-412310 |website=The Jerusalem Post |access-date=2 January 2020 |date=17 August 2015}}</ref> In 2016–2017, a petition opposing the convention center received 38,000 signatures, many from descendants of Lithuanian Jews now living in other countries.<ref name="report">[http://www.timesofisrael.com/lithuania-reconsiders-plans-to-build-atop-former-jewish-cemetery-report Lithuania reconsiders plans to build atop former Jewish cemetery — report], 22 February 2017</ref>
The Vilnius Palace of Concerts and Sports is slated in 2022 to be transformed into the leading convention center in the Baltic states. The controversial project has been approved by the Lithuanian Jewish Community in December, 2019.<ref>{{cite web |title=D. Matulionis: džiugu, kad pavyko sutarti mūsų valstybei ir Lietuvos žydų bendruomenei svarbiu klausimu |url=https://lrv.lt/lt/naujienos/d-matulionis-dziugu-kad-pavyko-sutarti-musu-valstybei-ir-lietuvos-zydu-bendruomenei-svarbiu-klausimu |website=lrv.lt |accessdate=28 December 2019 |language=lt}}</ref> More than 45,000 signatures have been collected to establish the convention center at a different site, away from Vilnius's oldest Jewish cemetery, which the Soviets desecrated in building the Sports Palace.<ref>http://defendinghistory.com/who-is-opposed-to-the-convention-center-on-the-old-vilna-jewish-cemetery-at-piramont-in-snipiskes/75558</ref>

News plans for transforming the Palace of Concerts and Sports into a modern convention center were announced in December 2019. The plans were discussed and approved by the Lithuanian Jewish community and by the London-based Committee for the Preservation of Jewish Cemeteries in Europe. However, more than 50,000 signatures have been collected against the plan and a descendant of people buried in the cemetery sued the owners of the venue at the Vilnius District Court to halt the works. The plaintiff was later joined by more than a hundred others.<ref>{{cite web |first=Arvydas |last=Lekavičius |url=https://www.lrytas.lt/verslas/rinkos-pulsas/2020/02/21/news/zydai-vel-priesinasi-naujam-kongresu-centrui-13643948/ |language=lt |title=Žydai vėl priešinasi naujam kongresų centrui |date=21 February 2020 |publisher=Sostinė (Lietuvos rytas) |access-date=23 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://defendinghistory.com/who-is-opposed-to-the-convention-center-on-the-old-vilna-jewish-cemetery-at-piramont-in-snipiskes/75558 |language=en|title=Mounting International Opposition to Vilnius Convention Center in Old Jewish Cemetery|date=21 February 2020|publisher=Defending History|access-date=1 March 2020}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

{{Vilnius}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Indoor arenas in Lithuania]]
[[Category:Indoor arenas in Lithuania]]
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[[Category:Basketball venues in Lithuania]]
[[Category:Basketball venues in Lithuania]]
[[Category:Volleyball venues in Lithuania]]
[[Category:Volleyball venues in Lithuania]]

{{Lithuania-sports-venue-stub}}

Latest revision as of 19:15, 8 November 2024

Vilnius Palace of Concerts and Sports
Sporto rūmai
Map
Full nameVilnius Palace of Concerts and Sports
LocationVilnius, Lithuania
Coordinates54°41′27″N 25°17′28″E / 54.69083°N 25.29111°E / 54.69083; 25.29111
Capacity4,400
Opened1971
Closed2004

Vilnius Palace of Concerts and Sports (Lithuanian: Sporto rūmai) is an indoor arena in Vilnius, Lithuania. The venue was opened in 1971. It was deemed unsafe and closed in 2004. Plans to reconstruct the venue received significant opposition from the Jewish community as the site is located on the grounds of the oldest Jewish cemetery in Vilnius.

The arena was capable of holding 4,400 spectators. It was primarily used for volleyball and basketball. In October 1988, the arena was the site of the Inaugural Congress of Sąjūdis, the Reform movement which led Lithuania in achieving independence from the Soviet Union. It was also the site of the public funeral of 13 Lithuanians killed by Soviet troops at the Vilnius Television Tower during the January Events of 1991.

The arena is emblematic of Communist Modernism. It is one of the few remaining sports arenas in this architectural style. Two other examples are the Hala Olivia in Gdańsk, Poland, and the now destroyed Volgar Sports Palace in Tolyatti, Russia.[1]

Controversy

[edit]

The venue is located on the site of the Piramónt cemetery, the oldest Jewish cemetery in Vilnius, which dates back to the late fifteenth century, when Vilnius was the capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.[2] Russian authorities closed the cemetery in 1831. The Soviet authorities destroyed the cemetery in 1949–1950 during the construction of Žalgiris Stadium.

In August 2015, Lithuania's Chief Rabbi Chaim Burshtein was dismissed by the Lithuanian Jews after he made a public statement opposing the conversion of the arena into a convention center.[3] In 2016–2017, a petition opposing the convention center received 38,000 signatures, many from descendants of Lithuanian Jews now living in other countries.[4]

News plans for transforming the Palace of Concerts and Sports into a modern convention center were announced in December 2019. The plans were discussed and approved by the Lithuanian Jewish community and by the London-based Committee for the Preservation of Jewish Cemeteries in Europe. However, more than 50,000 signatures have been collected against the plan and a descendant of people buried in the cemetery sued the owners of the venue at the Vilnius District Court to halt the works. The plaintiff was later joined by more than a hundred others.[5][6]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Vilniaus koncertų ir sporto rūmų renovacijai reikės apie 100 mln. litų (in Lithuanian)
  2. ^ Lithuania’s liveliest cemetery, 13 December 2015
  3. ^ Sokol, Sam (17 August 2015). "Lithuanian chief rabbi fired over cemetery dispute". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 2 January 2020.
  4. ^ Lithuania reconsiders plans to build atop former Jewish cemetery — report, 22 February 2017
  5. ^ Lekavičius, Arvydas (21 February 2020). "Žydai vėl priešinasi naujam kongresų centrui" (in Lithuanian). Sostinė (Lietuvos rytas). Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  6. ^ "Mounting International Opposition to Vilnius Convention Center in Old Jewish Cemetery". Defending History. 21 February 2020. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
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