Wolf sculpture on Gediminas Hill to remain until 2029, cost city nothing

The Wolf sculpture by Italian artist Davide Rivalta, unveiled this week on Gediminas Hill in Vilnius, will remain on display until 2029 at no cost to the city or the Lithuanian National Museum, LRT reports.

The Vilnius Castle State Cultural Reserve Directorate has approved the temporary exhibit until April 30, 2029, with the possibility of extension upon a renewed request from the museum, according to the Vilnius City Municipality.

“The Vilnius City Municipality did not allocate any funds for the creation or exhibition of the artwork. The project also cost the Lithuanian National Museum nothing—the sculpture is a gift from the Italian Embassy and the Vilnius Club to the museum and the capital,” the municipality stated.

Kamilė Gogelienė, chair of the municipality’s Historical Memory Commission, described public reactions to the sculpture as natural, noting that opinions on art in Vilnius are often divided. She emphasized that the Wolf is a contemporary art piece, not a monument or memorial, and enriches the museum’s collection.

“The work is displayed in the Lithuanian National Museum’s space—the Gediminas Hill observation platform—as a temporary museum exhibition. This practice is common in museums worldwide, where cultural and contemporary artworks are presented not only in enclosed halls but also in historically or culturally significant public spaces,” Gogelienė wrote on social media.

She confirmed that all necessary permits and approvals from cultural heritage and territorial oversight institutions were obtained for the installation.

The National Museum announced this week that the sculpture, symbolizing the shared legends of Vilnius and Rome, was unveiled to mark the 35th anniversary of the restoration of diplomatic relations between Lithuania and Italy. The wolf holds a special place in the founding myths of both cities: Rome’s history is tied to the Capitoline Wolf that nursed Romulus and Remus, while Vilnius traces its origins to Grand Duke Gediminas’ dream of an iron wolf, which inspired him to establish the city.

Rivalta’s works, often featuring animals such as lions, orangutans, and wolves, are frequently displayed in historic or representative locations, where they serve as symbols of cultural memory, nature, and human connection. Since 2019, two of his Lions sculptures have been permanently exhibited at the Quirinal Palace in Rome, with other works later presented at Italian embassies and residences in Washington, Paris, Dublin, and Oslo.

The Wolf project was initiated by the Italian Embassy in Vilnius and the Lithuanian National Museum, with support from Italy’s Ministry of Culture and the Italian Cultural Institute in Vilnius. Partners include the Vilnius City Municipality, Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and the Vilnius Club, which acted as a patron.