This is a monument in Ukmerge, Lithuania. Originally it was standing on the main square right in front of the municipality building in the city center. But when the Soviets were kicked out in 1991, the Lithuanians decided it was time to kick this monument as well, so they took it away.

But what to do with it? Because, well, maybe it was placed by the wrong people, but the monument itself was not so bad after all. So instead of throwing it in the dump, they placed it here, about 500 meters down the road. Not the prime location where it was before, but still not a bad place. Very visible for all traffic between Ukmerge and Kaunas.

It has been standing there since 1992, They maintained the small plot of grass around the monument and they even added a sign that explains the history of the monument. Until February 2022 when they decided it was time for a little paint job. Instead of being a relic from the past, the monument is again the living expression of something actual.

What about the empty spot on the main square in the city center? This is what they placed there.

With the Russians are gone you might think the days of brutalist design were over as well, but no…