Between life and destruction: Lentvaris manor in the Soviet era

Lentvaris Manor House throughout history

The Lentvaris Manor House, located in Lithuania, has a rich history that has seen it both exalted and humiliated throughout the years. However, it was during the Soviet era that the manor experienced a significant change. On the one hand, the establishment of the Lentvaris Carpet Factory in the palace brought about growth and prosperity^[1]. On the other hand, the manor's outbuildings were used for farming, leading to environmental damage.

Despite the wars that occurred throughout history, the Lentvaris Manor House remained largely unaffected and maintained its excellent appearance. However, during the Soviet era, appearance began to change. For instance, the stone bridges in the park were blown up, and their stones were used for other buildings. Until 1957, the palace itself stood unused^[2]. However, the Deputy Minister of Light Industry visited the palace that year and decided to move old looms from the Kaunas woolen cloths factory to the palace to start weaving. Soon after, the factory grew, and by 1958, almost 300 factory workers were working in the Lentvaris Manor House.

The beginning was difficult, not only because of the lack of equipment but also because of the atmosphere of the manor itself. For artists in the factory, the people who created the carpet projects and designs, the surroundings were particularly challenging. The estate's surroundings were only landscaped much later when an engineer at the Lentvaris carpet factory started to beautify the park. The director of the factory later took care of the restoration of the manor house and the tower and commissioned an inventory project of the park's planting.

Challenges of the Soviet era

The Soviet era was a challenging time in history, particularly for the countries that were under the Soviet Union's rule. The Soviet Union, which was officially dissolved in 1991, was a socialist state that exercised control over several countries^[3]. During this period, these countries faced a range of economic, social, and political challenges that impacted the lives of people in various ways.

One of the biggest challenges of the Soviet era was the lack of economic growth and development. The Soviet Union operated a planned economy, which meant that the state controlled all aspects of the economy, including production, distribution, and pricing. This system led to a lack of innovation, competition, and efficiency in the economy, resulting in a stagnant economy.

As a result, people faced shortages of basic necessities such as food, clothing, and housing. This situation was particularly difficult in rural areas, where people faced challenges such as poor infrastructure, inadequate agricultural inputs, and lack of access to markets.

The Soviet Union was a totalitarian state, which meant that the government exercised absolute control over people's lives. This led to the suppression of political dissent, free speech, and human rights. People who dared to speak out against the government were often subject to harassment, imprisonment, or even execution. This situation created a culture of fear and mistrust, leading people to self-censor and avoid discussing sensitive topics.

The Soviet era was also marked by a lack of individual freedoms. The government controlled all aspects of people's lives, including education, employment, and access to healthcare. People had limited choices and opportunities, and the government had the power to determine their life trajectories. This situation led to a lack of creativity, diversity, and personal fulfillment^[4].

In addition to these challenges, the Soviet era was also marked by environmental degradation, social inequality, and geopolitical tensions. The Soviet Union's rapid industrialization led to significant environmental damage, including air and water pollution, deforestation, and habitat destruction. Social inequality was also prevalent, with a small elite enjoying a privileged lifestyle while the majority struggled to make ends meet. Finally, the Soviet Union's foreign policy led to geopolitical tensions, including the Cold War and regional conflicts.

Human stories of work and exile making history

During this Soviet era, people were what made the Lentvaris Manor House alive during such tough times. The life of the manor and the ones that came there helped others around to feel uplifted.

The factory workers created and used about 1,400 technical improvements in production, saving over 500,000 roubles in production in a five-year period^[5]. Additionally, the Lentvaris carpet factory in the Manor House became a place of work for Lithuanians who returned from exile. However, the manor's outbuildings were used for farming and were hit by one problem after another. The barn burnt down, and the other outbuildings were badly damaged.

Humanity existed alongside people: one can hear many stories of how the Lentvaris carpet factory in the manor house became a place of work for Lithuanians who returned from exile. Here is the story of Vaclovas Rukšėnas: "In 1958, Vaclovas came to Lentvaris, where he got a job at the "Kaitra" factory, which produced bathtubs, [...] and then he moved to the Lentvaris Carpet Factory, where the director at the time was Mr Staugaitis, and where he was assisted by the chief mechanic, E. Strazdas, and by Mr. Kairiūnas, the head of the weaving shop.

The latter was also a former political prisoner who sympathized with the exiles". Another exile, Stanislovas Kasperavičius, moved to Lentvaris when he discovered his exiled friend Česlovas was working in the factory. Thus, in the palace, as in the times of Count Tiškevičius, those who needed it most were taken care of.

The inhabitants cut down trees for firewood in the park, built a large number of sheds and barns, and polluted the park with domestic waste. Schoolchildren were sent by the authorities to "help," but they ended up cutting down all the trees, including the rare trees selected by Francois André.

The Soviet era brought significant changes to the Lentvaris Manor House. The establishment of the factory in the palace saved the manor from decay and brought growth and prosperity to the region. However, the farming practices in the manor's outbuildings led to environmental damage, including the destruction of the perfection of the environment. The legacy of the Soviet era in Lentvaris remains mixed, with both positive and negative outcomes.