The Lenin statue in Vilnius once stood in the very center of the city, a clear symbol of Soviet power and control. For decades, it watched over daily life, but not everyone accepted what it stood for. In 1991, during the fight for independence, the statue was cut down in a striking way, its legs removed before the rest followed. Today, Vladimir Lenin is showing his scars in Grūtas Park.

The statue showed Vladimir Lenin in a classic pose, standing tall and looking ahead, a common style used across Soviet cities. It was placed on the central square of the city, a symbolic location meant to highlight Soviet authority. Lenin’s hand was invitingly pointing towards the KGB headquarters, which stood in front of the statue.
The city reconstructed the square according to the design of Vladislovas Mikučianis (1913-2000) between 1949 and 1952. The square was renamed to Lenin Square, and a statue of Lenin was built in the middle of it. For decades, it served as one of the main ideological landmarks in the city, used for parades, gatherings, and official ceremonies.

Nikolai Tomsky

The Lenin statue in Vilnius was unveiled in 1953, soon after the death of Joseph Stalin, during a time when Soviet control over Lithuania was firmly in place. Sculptor Nikolai Tomsky (1900-1984) made the statue. He was one of the most prominent artists of the USSR, known for his official monuments of political leaders.

Since childhood, he was fond of drawing, but then he did not even have to dream of a special art education. Tomsky goes to study in Petrograd and enters the Art and Production College. He studied with the talented sculptor Vsevolod Lishev, a well-educated person and an experienced teacher who paid special attention to his gifted student. Nikolai Tomsky’s first work was a bust of Karl Marx, erected in 1932. His style was realistic and clear, made to show strength and authority. Tomsky created many statues of Vladimir Lenin and other Soviet figures across the USSR. He also held high positions in the Soviet art world and received several state awards. His work played a key role in shaping how Soviet power was shown in public spaces.

The fall in 1991

The statue, which used to be the largest of its kind in the country, was removed in 1991. Lithuania had declared independence from the USSR in March 1990, but it took almost a year and a half to get rid of the statue. The gathered crowd celebrated the fall of the statue. A crane lifted its upper part of the pedestal. Workers started by cutting the legs of the statue. This may sound strange, but it followed an old Lithuanian folk idea. First, you take away the power, then the rest will fall. The fall of Legless Lenin became a strong moment. It showed that a new time had begun.

The square was partially reconstructed in the 1990s and is named Lukishskaya Square.

Where is it now?

The statue did not disappear. The reassembled Lenin statue is now on display in Grūtas Park. This park is often called Stalin World. It holds many Soviet statues from across Lithuania.

In the park, Lenin is no longer a leader in a city square. Instead, he is part of history. Visitors walk past him, take photos, and think about the past.