The municipality of the capital selected the artistic idea for the monument to Dr. Jonas Basanavičius. The authors of the monument idea that won the competition — Gediminas Antanas Sakalis, Gediminas Piekuras, Algirdas Rasimavičius. The authors sought to give an expressive meaning to the personality, character, determination, will and spirituality of Jonas Basanavičius. Contemporary political vicissitudes, so he chose a classical portrait figurative solution with a strong inner movement.
The foundation of the monument's composition is a bronze figure on a granite cube standing on a round granite form, which will unite and balance the irregularly shaped square, creating a harmonious architectural ensemble with the adjacent buildings. On the front surface of the cube there is an inscription in bronze letters: JONAS BASANAVICIUS.
The representative axis of the sculpture is oriented towards Dižija gati, which gathers the largest flow of people. The advantage of the square in front of the Philharmonic is that the main flow of pedestrians and tourists towards the Dawn Gate runs through it, so the monument will be visible and constantly visited.
According to the member of the Lithuanian Union of Artists who chaired the commission, sculptor prof. The work chosen by Gediminas Karalias was the best fit for the square, but it can still be improved further in order to achieve a mature work.
It should be noted that although the idea has been chosen, the implementation part is not completely clear. The winners of the competition did not submit the realization documents, so next week the municipality will decide on the possible options: whether to cover the realization of the monument with personal funds, or to announce a new competition.
The second place in the competition was won by the idea J. Basanavičius — flag bearer presented by UAB "Studija2a", the third place was won by the sculpture "Lithuania - Rain - Basanavičius" by UAB, Vilnius Architecture Studio. Fourth place prize winners — the authors of the idea for the Dr. Jonas Basanavičius monument Gintautas Jonkus, Petras Grecevičius, Edmundas Andrijauskas, Jonas Abromas, fifth place — the idea "Tower of Dawn" presented by UAB "Klaipėdos komprojektas".
Five prize winners of the project competition will be awarded monetary prizes: the first place winner — 5 thousand. EUR, the second - 4 thousand. Eur; the third — 3 thousand EUR, two incentive bonuses of EUR 2 each — for the winners of the fourth and fifth places.
It will be ensured that the place for the sculpture - Jonas Basanavičius square - will be perfectly organized by the fall of next year.
