Vilniaus concert and sports palace reconstruction urged in appeal to Lithuanian president and PM

A group of 53 signatories of the March 11 Act have called on Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda and Prime Minister Ingrida Ruginienė to accelerate the restoration of Vilnius Concert and Sports Palace, citing its historical significance and public support for its transformation into a national congress and cultural centre, LRT reports.

The appeal, signed by figures linked to Lithuania’s 1990 independence declaration, urges swift decisions to enable the building’s reconstruction, emphasising the need to preserve its role in key historical events—including the 1991 January 13 Soviet crackdown and the 1991 Medininkai border massacre—through dedicated exhibitions.

Signatories expressed concern over “inconsistent positions” from authorities regarding the palace’s future, noting that public surveys by Vilmorus and Baltijos tyrimai show overwhelming support for its conversion into a conference and cultural hub.

A cross-party group of 23 MPs has simultaneously proposed a parliamentary resolution urging the government and Vilnius municipality to resolve organisational issues for the project, allocate funding, and explore private investment. The draft resolution aligns with the State Cultural Heritage Commission’s recommendation to designate the palace a nationally protected heritage site.

Lawmakers argue the reconstructed venue would boost conference tourism and commemorate pivotal moments in Lithuania’s statehood, including the 1988 founding assembly of the Reform Movement of Lithuania (Sąjūdis) and the January 13 victims. They also stress the lack of suitable spaces in Lithuania for high-level international events.

The resolution opposes proposals to transfer ownership to Vilnius municipality or dispose of the building, instead calling for full implementation of the government’s 2015 decision declaring the reconstruction a state priority.