Uzupis-Beyonnd The River Vilnius Lithuania

 

UZUPIS

"BEYOND THE RIVER"

 VILNIUS LITHUANIA

You will find Uzupis over the Vilnius River in Vilnius Lithuania and it is well worth a visit. The area was mostly occupied by Jewish people prior to WW2 and most were killed during WW2 and the area and houses were left abandoned and later occupied by homeless and prostitutes. When Lithuania declared independence in 1990 it was the most neglected area in the city but since then it developed as a place for artists and Bohemian people. In 1998 , the residents declared itself a “Republic” with its own flag, unofficial currency, cabinet ministers and tongue in cheek Constitution. It has even provided honorary citizenship to notable people such as the 14^th Dalai Lama. The residents celebrate Uzupis Day every April 1st.

Going in to Uzupis across the Vilnius River

The Angel of Uzupis stands in a small square and was installed in April 2002 and shows an Angel on a column blowing a trumpet.

St Bartholomew’s Church in Uzupis is worthy of a look. It is quite small and tucked away in a courtyard and serves the small Belarusian Catholic community in Vilnius.

Leaving Uzupis across the river

The flag is the palm of a hand on a white background and each season the palm colour changes.

 

The Tongue in Cheek Constitution

1.     Everyone has the right to live by the River Vilnelė, and the River Vilnelė has the right to flow by everyone.

2.     Everyone has the right to hot water, heating in winter and a tiled roof.

3.     Everyone has the right to die, but this is not an obligation.

4.     Everyone has the right to make mistakes.

5.     Everyone has the right to be unique.

6.     Everyone has the right to love.

7.     Everyone has the right not to be loved, but not necessarily.

8.     Everyone has the right to be undistinguished and unknown.

9.     Everyone has the right to idle.

10.  Everyone has the right to love and take care of the cat.

11.  Everyone has the right to look after the dog until one of them dies.

12.  A dog has the right to be a dog.

13.  A cat is not obliged to love its owner, but must help in time of nee[d].

14.  Sometimes everyone has the right to be unaware of their duties.

15.  Everyone has the right to be in doubt, but this is not an obligation.

16.  Everyone has the right to be happy.

17.  Everyone has the right to be unhappy.

18.  Everyone has the right to be silent.

19.  Everyone has the right to have faith.

20.  No one has the right to violence.

21.  Everyone has the right to appreciate their unimportance. 

22.  No one has the right to have a design on eternity.

23.  Everyone has the right to understand.

24.  Everyone has the right to understand nothing.

25.  Everyone has the right to be of any nationality.

26.  Everyone has the right to celebrate or not celebrate their birthday.

27.  Everyone shall remember their name.

28.  Everyone may share what they possess.

29.  No one can share what they do not possess.

30.  Everyone has the right to have brothers, sisters and parents.

31.  Everyone may be independent.

32.  Everyone is responsible for their freedom.

33.  Everyone has the right to cry.

34.  Everyone has the right to be misunderstood.

35.  No one has the right to make another person guilty.

36.  Everyone has the right to be individual.

37.  Everyone has the right to have no rights.

38.  Everyone has the right to not to be afraid.

39.  Do not defeat.

40.  Do not fight back.

41.  Do not surrender.

 We stayed  in the newer part of town only a short walk to Uzupis at

COURTYARD by MARRIOTT VILNIUS CITY CENTER

This was a very good hotel with a great restaurant

Vilnius-Interesting Capital of Lithuania

 

VILNIUS

LITHUANIA

History in Brief 

Vilnius has an interesting history and in the 14^th century under the rule of Grand Duke Gediminas, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania had extended its influence as far east as Belarus, Ukraine, and some parts of Russia and Poland. In September 1939 Lithuania the Lithuanian Consulate was opened in Vilnius and the first to grant Visa’s for life for the Jewish people and in so doing saved many Polish Jews. 

At the outset of World War 11, Vilnius was occupied the Russians and all of Lithuania was annexed by the Russians in August 1940 and a Soviet Government installed and subsequently 20,000 to 30,000 of the Lithuanian population were arrested and sent to gulags in far eastern Soviet Union. The Nazi’s captured Vilnius in June 1941 and two ghettos were established in the old town for the large Jewish population. During the occupation some 250,000 Jews (95% of the population) were murdered by the German’s. In July 1944 Vilnius the Russians took over from the Germans and incorporated Lithuania  into the Soviet Union and the NKVD began repressions against Lithuanians and many were deported to Siberia.

 In March 1990 Lithuania announced its succession from the Soviet Union and the Soviet Union sent in troops with a number of people killed an injured. In September 1991, the Soviet Union finally recognised the independence of Lithuania.

                         Gediminas Hill and the remains of the castle of the Grand Duke Gediminas. Most of thr castle which was built in the 13th century was destroyed by the russians in the 19th century and only the watch tower remains. It is worthwhile walking upo the hill as you get agreat view of the old town and th new city.

The Palace of the Grand Dukes adjacent to Cathedral Square and a stattue of Gediminas.This sits just below Gedimanas Hill.

The vilnius Cathedral and 57 M 13th century bell tower in Cathedral Square.

In a city of many churches St Anne's is one of the more interesting. St Anne's Roman Catholic Church was built around 1500 on the banks of the Vilnius river  and features interesting Gothic architecture.

The Old Town is a city with uinteresting streets and many small cafes .

The Gates of Dawn is one of five 16th century entry points into the city. This one has a cahpel over the entrance.

A Town with interesting Markets. This is one of the major markets in Vilnius.

And a darker side as well. Make sure you visit the KGB building and museum to understand what happened back then.

The interesting arty district of Uzupis on th other side of the Vilnius River, It declated independent and has an interesting constitution piblihsed in detail as you enter.

Vilnius is a city of many and diverse churches many that were used by the germans in WW2 as places for storage.

We stayed at the Marriott Courtyard in the newer part of the city but only a short walk to Cathedral Square. Great locations, very good hotel and an excellent restaurant.

COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT VILNIUS CITY CENTER