Residents report repeated noise from parties at former Kaunas synagogue

Residents of Kaunas’ Žaliakalnis neighborhood say parties at a former synagogue keep them awake, with police receiving more than 40 reports about problems on the street this year. LRT reported the complaints after residents contacted its LRT Girdi programme.

Residents say the parties take place on many weekends. One resident, Janina, told LRT Television that she has repeatedly asked partygoers to be quieter but they do not hear her.

Under current rules, loud music, singing and shouting are prohibited between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. Police said they had received more than 40 reports about the street this year, mostly concerning noise. No fines have been issued so far, although officers have opened several administrative proceedings. In some cases, officers did not record excessive noise; in others, a warning was enough to turn down the music, police spokeswoman Odeta Vaitkevičienė said.

Residents have collected signatures and sent a request to the municipality and other institutions. One resident, Elena, called for the venue to be closed, saying the street had once been quiet and people should be able to live in peace.

The building has not operated as a synagogue since 1941. The heritage-listed building, designated for cultural use, belongs to the Kaunas Jewish Religious Community, which rents it to the company Sinagoga kompote. Community chairman Mauša Bairakas said he plans to invite neighbors for a discussion and has no complaints about the tenants. He said he had visited twice at 1 a.m. and heard nothing, adding that noise can occur when people leave, but that calling a taxi in the street is not prohibited.

Sinagoga kompote head Martyna Kaškelytė said events after 10 p.m. are held indoors, doors are kept closed and panels are placed over the windows to reduce noise. She said the venue has double-glazed windows and staff check outdoor decibel levels, which she said remain within legal limits. Kaškelytė described the complaints as unfounded and said the company had filed two complaints against people it accused of behaving abusively while intoxicated.

Under current legislation, venues rented for cultural, entertainment or recreational events do not need a separate operating permit if they have only tables and chairs and do not prepare food or include saunas or swimming pools. Legal entities can be fined 200 to 300 euros for making noise during quiet hours.