Restored Lithuanian monument inaugurated in Thisted
Friday May 1st, a restored Lithuanian monument at the former refugee camp Dragsbæk was inaugurated at the Danish Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) in Thisted. Ambassador Vytautas Pinkus, Mayor of Thisted municipality Lene Kjeldgaard Jensen and Colonel Lennart Kvist Sørensen revealed the newly restored Lithuanian monument in the eyes of more than 150 guests.
Colonel L.K. Sørensen in his welcome speech presented the history of the refugees’ camp in Dragsbæklejren, establishment of the monument in 1947 where local carpenters and painters assisted the Lithuanians and the restoration process.
Ambassador V.Pinkus expressed his gratitude to the people at the DEMA North Jutland and to all residents of Thisted community for preserving the monument and for their contribution to the renovation of the monument and crafting of the new cross. He recalled the migration from Lithuania after the World War II, efforts of the exiles to keep their ties with Lithuania and the role of wooden crosses as a form of the expression of national identity. The importance and uniqueness of Lithuanian cross-crafting tradition is recognised by UNESCO.
Mayor Lene Kjelgard Jensen spoke about the friendly attitude of the local community in assisting refugees who were forced to leave their homeland. She also explained the meaning of the colours of the cross.
The opening continued with the ceremony by representatives from the Lithuanian Catholic Church and Danish National Church, followed by the Wreath-laying.
The monument was established by Lithuanian refugees in 1947 in gratitude of the hospitality they had experienced while living in the Dragsbæk camp. The camp was home to some of the thousands of refugees who came to Denmark after the end of World War II. The refugee camp was at Simons Bakke 25, where DEMA is located today.
The monument consists of a large wooden cross, decorated in accordance with the Lithuanian cross-crafting tradition, a memorial wall and a large stone relief of the Lithuanian Coat of Arms. During the restoration, in addition to the new cross, the facade of the memorial wall has been renovated as well as the stone relief.
