Lithuania's head of Jewish community approves Vilnius' Palace of Concerts and Sports reconstruction

Faina Kukliansky, the head of the Jewish Community of Lithuania has come out in favour of the plan to reconstruct Vilnius’ Palace of Concerts and Sports, after the Lithuanian government recently bought the building.

A number of Orthodox Jewish rabbis have urged the Lithuanian government to call off the renovation project, saying it could further damage to the Snipiskes Jewish cemetery - the site on which the building is located.

"As a resident of Vilnius, I would like to see the area become attractive and well-kept,” Kukliansky told journalists on September 17, 2015. “It would allow all Vilnius’ residents to enjoy spending time there, and for the former Vilnius Palace of Concerts and Sports to not to become a rubbish tip or a shelter for homeless people and drunkards.

"We want that place where the cemetery used to be to look good, so, I believe, our wishes with our government match.”

The state will buy the former Vilnius Palace of Concerts and Sports for 5.6 million euros. 

Built during the Soviet occupation of Lithuania in 1971, the Palace of Concerts and Sports was closed in 2004. It was put on the Cultural Heritage Register in 2006.

The complex was built on the site of an old Jewish cemetery that had been there since the 16th century. 

It was closed in the 19th century and the majority of graves were destroyed by the Soviets during the construction of the complex. 

Any surface boundaries of the cemetery were also destroyed.