Antakalnis Cemetery: Six Soviet-era Steles Dismantling Underway

At the Antakalnis cemetery in Vilnius, work has begun on the careful removal of six steles that stand as Lithuania’s most prominent memorial to the Soviet soldiers who perished in the conflict commonly known as the Great Patriotic War. The project marks a significant moment in how the city chooses to memorialize that period, with the focus turning to the physical dismantling of stone markers that bear witness to the past and the complex emotions that accompany it. The process is being handled by a contracted team under the supervision of municipal authorities, and local residents have keenly observed the progress as crews move from preparation to the actual dismantling of the pillars. The atmosphere around the site is reflective, as the monument’s fate has long been a topic of public discussion and official scrutiny in Vilnius and beyond.