Leipalingis partisan memorial set to open on Army Day

The columbarium and memorial for partisans and supporters of Lithuania’s freedom struggle in Leipalingis is expected to open on November 23, Lithuania’s Army Day, LRT reported, citing the Lithuanian news agency ELTA.

Construction is expected to be completed by October 31, according to Arūnas Bubnys, acting head of the Genocide and Resistance Research Centre of Lithuania.

“The situation is good now. The work has started and, according to the contract, should be completed on October 31 this year,” Bubnys told ELTA.

The centre decided to hold the official opening later, on November 23, to mark the occasion of Lithuania’s Army Day.

Columbarium will initially hold 60 sets of remains

The centre has stored the remains of 46 partisans found in Leipalingis for the past four years. The columbarium under construction will have 60 spaces, with the option to expand the niches if more partisan remains are found.

“There are currently the remains of 46 partisans, and there will now be 60 spaces. If more partisans are found in the future, they can be buried in the same place,” Bubnys said.

Foundations are currently being laid at the construction site. The surrounding area will later be landscaped and planted with oak trees, which the centre’s acting director described as symbols of strength.

Oak saplings are expected to be planted in November. The project is being prepared by construction company Plungės Lagūna.

In April, the government decided to allocate 214,257 euros from the state budget for construction of the columbarium and memorial. A government notice said the number of spaces could eventually be increased to 100.