  Grutas
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 108 Grutas Tips.170 Grutas Photos.0 Grutas Videos. Grutas Pages by matcrazy1
| Page Views: 3,185 Last Visit to Grutas: June, 2004 | Learn the truth about the Soviet Union by matcrazy1 - last update: Feb 14, 2007 |
Controversial park and exhibition | KRYZKALNIS' MOTHER ON THE ISLAND |
This page is dedicated to Grutas Park located in a village of Grutas, very close to Druskininkai, the best European balneology resort! (chosen by Eurepean edition of "Newsweek" magazine). The Soviet era monuments, torn down in 1989 and brought from Lithuanian cities, were expansively laid out in Grutas Park. I found this unique place at least a little bit controversial. After communism fall down in 1989, there was the idea of putting up similar park in my country, Poland. But it was against Polish new constitution which forbided publicizing and supporting any totalitarian system like communism or fascism in any way. Well, are there any museums of fascism or Adolf Hitler anywhere? Hmm... I was always confused (and still I am) that communist parties were legal in many countries of Western Europe... Well, small minorities and extremities but...
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| MEMORIAL TO SOVIET KOMSOMOL (KAUNAS 1979) |
My hesitation I hesitated a long time before making the decision to visit Grutas Park. Being born in Poland, on the wrong side of the Iron Curtain, I remember well times of Soviet rule and similar monuments in Poland (luckily not as many as in the Soviet republics) which we (kids or teens that time) disliked very much. And I didn't like to support this not so old past in any way. Well, at the same time, we liked people of Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Lithuania etc. a lot. Is it called Slavic unity or soul? |
| WHITE STORK - LITHUANIAN NATIONAL BIRD |
My wise decision Finally, I decided to visit the Park and now, I can say that it was right decision.
Well, I appreciated educational value of the park, especially for younger generations and for those who were lucky to live far away of Soviet rules. Personally, I concentrated on historical parts of exhibitions in a few pavillons and I got to know more about communism, Lithuanians and its struggle for independence against Soviet rule. There was a kind of small zoo located in the park as well. |
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| Pros: | "Great educational value, nature (lakes and forests)" | | Cons: | "Shouldn't it be forbided? (I mean publicising totalitarian systems like communism, fascism)" | | In A Nutshell: | "Go to learn the truth about the Soviet Union!" |
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 Comments for matcrazy1 about Grutas | | | | |
KiKitC Mon Dec 18, 2006 11:47 UTC
As always, incredible tips. What a tour of the park and history. Hope your birthday finds you on another inspirational journey. | irishgalmtl Sun Dec 17, 2006 20:26 UTC
Hello there Matt, Kavine sounds like a nice little spot being its the only one..lol Picnic area sounds very ideal...Donna :) | HORSCHECK Sat Oct 21, 2006 14:57 UTC
Matt, in my opinion this is one of your best pages...very well written historic background mixed with your personal experiences...unfortunately, I hadn't enough time to visit Grutas on my Lithuania trip. | JLBG Tue Apr 26, 2005 09:06 UTC
Great page of history! I understand your confusion as an inside actor/subject of that period but what belongs to history has to be displayed, as long as it is not a danger. You have done a lot of informative work ! |
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