Preservation of the Synagogue of Pakruojis and its adaptation for cultural and community purposes

Project facts

Project promoter:
Pakruojis District Municipality Administration‬‬‬
Project Number:
LT06-0003
Target groups
Children ,
Public and private organizations, including not-for-profit organizations and NGOs, responsible for the organization and delivery of education and training at local, regional and national levels
Status:
Completed
Initial project cost:
€751,352
Final project cost:
€736,230
From EEA Grants:
€ 556,958
The project is carried out in:
Šiaulių apskritis

Description

The aim of the project is to preserve and adapt the wooden Pakruojis Synagogue as cultural heritage for the local community and to reuse it by establishing a Section of Children's Literature of Pakruojis District Municipality Juozas Paukstelis Public Library. The project helps to address social problems by providing leisure and literature for young people. The restoration contributes to job creation: people will be employed for the restoration and two people will be employed after expansion of the library. After restoration of the building, Jewish culture and history will be preserved for future generations and murals will be recreated. The reconstructed synagogue and exposition of Pakruojis Jewish culture and history will be opened for visitors. Increased number of visitors will be a positive factor for the economy and could increase incomes of small and middle-sized companies working in the field of trading and services. Pakruojis synagogue is listed in the Development Study of Pakruojis Cultural Heritage as a priority object for reconstruction of cultural heritage.

Summary of project results

Built on the Kruoja river bank back in 1801, Pakruojis Synagogue is the oldest remaining wooden synagogue in Lithuania. After the World War II, the synagogue was converted into to a cinema, then turned into a warehouse, and fell into disrepair after being severely damaged by fire in 2009. Restoration works and installation of engineering networks resurrected this unique building to a new life. The former unheated building was insulated and the heating system was installed enabling the community to use the building all year round. Historically, the walls of the synagogue were richly decorated with the ornaments of exotic and local flora and fauna. During the project, paintings of the vault were recreated according to the old photographs and the wallpaper was reproduced to decorate the entire interior according to the restored bits. Thanks to the support of the EEA Grants, this is the first wooden synagogue to be restored in Lithuania. In the near future, children’s section of the district’s public libary will be established in the building. It will also serve as a venue for cultural and community events. Exhibition of Pakruojis Jewish history and culture, dedicated to the local Jewish community decimated in the midst of the 20th century, is already set up in the balcony of the synagogue. Knowledge of Jewish history and cultural heritage has also been improved during the conference “Uniqueness of the Jewish Heritage” which took place in the course of the project.

Summary of bilateral results