| Abstract [eng] |
Cultural heritage bears witness to the evolution of society and is the result of the work and historical development of the discrete groups and ethnic communities living in each country. We can tell much about the historical development, achievements and losses of a country and the nations living within it by examining surviving material and cultural values. One of the key tasks for the heritage protection system of the Republic of Lithuania is the protection of the cultural heritage, which also includes that portion of the heritage as yet unexamined and unprotected. The diversity and individuality of its cultural heritage tells of the country’s historical past, instills pride in the nation and state and teaches the upcoming generation patriotism. Several problems are addressed in this work: 1) the assessment of the activity of the Division for Export of Cultural Values within the Lithuanian heritage protection system, considered from 1990 to 2005; 2) The conservation for the Lithuanian cultural heritage of movable cultural values. This work is made topical not just by the need to present the work of the Division for Export Control of Cultural Values, but also to explain the value and importance of the work performed there for the broader Lithuanian society, at the same time protecting cultural values for Lithuanian culture. In order for the process of transmitting heritage to take place, these cultural values must be recognized and appreciated by society as a whole, and not just among specialists. The following conclusions were drawn after completion of this work: As the system of property relations changes and Lithuania integrates with the European Union, so the legal framework regulating the export of cultural values and antiques has also changed. After the law on the protection of movable cultural values was adopted, the state lost the ability to decide independently which cultural properties and antique items intended for export could be listed on the Cultural Values Registry. This denies the state the ability to protect extraordinarily significant items of national heritage. Laws which provide for the listing on the Cultural Values Registry without their owners’ permission of especially important cultural values and antiques falling within the scope of legal regulation need to be reviewed. Cultural property protection institutions need to review in a fundamental way laws and implementing acts regulating the institution and institutional activity of experts on movable cultural values and antiques. There also needs to be a provisional attestation [verification] commission for establishing the credentials of cultural goods and antiques experts which, acting in concert with corresponding institutions, formulates rules for the attestation of experts on cultural values and antique items, and based on this begins the attestation of the expertise of such experts, providing them categories of qualification. In drafting and revising laws for the protection of cultural values, expertise in works of art and antiquary items needs to be legally formulated, i.e., attribution and cost appraisal, for individuals and corporations for the declaration or disclosure of assets, insurance and other matters. In order to perform prevention work within the heritage protection system – to stop thefts and illicit export of cultural values and works of art from the Republic of Lithuania successfully – it is necessary to possess inventory material on lost museum exhibits, religious buildings, damaged sacred sites and other properties. A periodical publication detailing missing cultural values with as complete photo descriptions as possible and a database needs to begin publication. Further, the media need to be involved and engaged in consistently reporting on lost cultural goods and their discovery. |
