I fell in love with the deceased during my studies. Eventually, a tradition was formed to visit Veliuona, its mounds, its panoramic streets on the edge of the fabulous Nemunas terrace on the second day of Easter.
The old Veliuona school (1938) was a discovery for me. I met a fantastic man, the Danish John Nilson, who bought an empty school building and moved in. Why? I asked the Dane. Because in Europe you won’t find a mound with the Nemunas at its foot, where you could settle down. John was right. Veliuona’s school hill was a sacred place in every sense.
It so happened that later, after the unexpected death of John Nilson, other friends of mine settled in Veliuona mountain. We enjoyed the School Hill together. Later, the twists and turns of life changed the family’s plans and I found Veliuonai’s heirs – in the spring of 2019, the Remėz family from Kaunas settled in the historical school building. I was happy for them as a child. Life has returned to Veliuona mountain… The fabulous mornings with the sun rising over the Castle Hill and the fantastic evenings with the sun setting behind the church built by Vytautas the Great in 1421 have returned again.
Unfortunately, the fatal fire of March 12 cut off the late idyll.
Therefore, all that remains now is to pray for the resurrection of the School Mountain. It remains to ask for support, help for the family of the arsonists, in this particularly difficult hour. (See support details at the end of the article)
Veliuona School is a peer of Vilnius University
The year 2024 is special for Veliuona Antanas and Jonas Juški high school – the school celebrates its 445th anniversary. True, in the history of Žemaitija compiled by A. Nikžentaitis, it is written that already in 1509 A parish school may have functioned in Veliuona, but no written sources confirming this fact have yet been found.
However, in 1579 Veliuona parish school is specifically mentioned in the deed of the Žemaičiai chapter. In the visitation of the Diocese of Žemaicai, which was carried out by the papal auditor, 10 schools are mentioned, among them the one in Veliuona.
Veliuon’s school was housed in various buildings and the nomadic life ended only in 1938, when a new wooden school was built next to the church (it burned down in 2024).
At that time, 274 students studied at Veliuona school. It is not surprising that in 1943 the school was granted the status of a secondary school.
In 1977, a new brick school was built in Veliuona and the old wooden building eventually became empty.
Vilma Remėzienė: the dream lasted so short
I am sitting in front of our family’s dream… The excavator does its destructive work, destroying its traces – the remains of the House that fell in love at first sight.
The thought deepens: He was going to die, He wanted it. I’m spinning the memory stick backwards. The moment when I saw Him for the first time is indescribable… Such beauty, greatness, like the crown of a hill. And the moss on the reed roof is like curls of history. We created, lived, shared our joy, celebrated life. – from the spring of 2019. I turn the tape away. Insurance companies refuse to insure a house with a thatched roof.
Late autumn.
It’s evening, it’s raining, the fire is smoldering in the fireplace, we hear – kap kap kap… Prakiura’s heating system. The saying “the further into the forest, the more firewood” proved true. Rotten reeds under the moss, tree stumps, woodworms clinging to damp walls… The fireplace and boiler are lit. Warm, but restless – the smell of burning. The pumps of the heating system retire one by one.
Winter.
The feet feel the cold, the candle flame catches the wind in the room – our dream is real. Ears catch sounds in the sink, noses smell from the sewers. Every 3 months we become masters of unclogging. The shower – swimming pool is closed, the water soaked the wall of the house, the wooden wall needs prosthetics.
Spring.
Buckets collect water from the ceiling. And we do not give up, we fight against the ABC of the masters, the antics of nature and the whims of the House. The first attempt to leave the house with a fire still reminds of the Soviet times. The second is more serious – the inner wall is on fire, the overlap. With great effort, we manage to avoid a tragic outcome. The third, fatal…
On March 12, 2024, before 9, the electricity goes out. And suddenly, a terrible roar, accompanied by a terrible crack. Scream deegaaam!!! We tried to save, but one minute, the next, we had to save. The fire seemed to fulfill the wish of the house. We were not even asked. Her friend’s words revealed the truth: the backbone of the house was healthy, but cancer lived in the intestines.
Vilma Remėzienė: we are sorry that we did not preserve such a house
We tried to save Him, with all our heart, with great love, we wanted to leave Veliuona a memory that will live on for a long time, a HOUSE with a roof of clay tiles, solid wood, solid construction, standing in the hardest historical place, with a look accompanying Nemunas for almost a whole century.
The house was the cradle of the brightest memories for many people who studied, worked, visited and lived here. He lived his life, sheltered the students in the beginning, teachers also lived in him. Released several dozen students’ cables to the world. Times changed, the educational role was lost, the house became a dormitory, a sewing room. After all, he was abandoned and lonely. Until he met new caring passengers – John and Izabela. After receiving so much love and help, he shone again. The house both sheltered and delighted everyone with its contents and station.
Since then, the name of the School has changed to Dano Namas. The loss hurts – one of the passengers, John, leaves. Veliuona is sad, and so is the House.
Later, he meets new friends – Gitana and Paulias, who in a short time gave a lot of love, colors and faith. Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, the House started looking for new boarders again.
Our family had the good fortune to live in Him, to feel His spirit, to touch Him, to observe the transformations of the wonderful nature in His environment, taking responsibility to take care of Him and allow Him to recover, tolerating all His whims…
Please forgive us for not saving Him, it was not in our will.
We are very grateful to everyone for your support, for your prayers, for sending good thoughts, for your support with money and work, for your time. We really appreciate both the kind word and those toothbrushes with the caption “Don’t stop smiling, the brushes are not in the box, but they are new”.
We are especially grateful to the late Reda, who temporarily sheltered and clothed us in her home, and Izabela’s family, who temporarily provided us with housing until we have a place to live.
Friends asked to make the bank account public, because there are people who don’t even know us, but want to support us in this difficult moment.
We put it off because we are not used to receiving, we tried more to give.
But, as time goes by, we realize how the accident happened, so our family needs full support. Thanks in advance…
Vilma Remēziene
Support account: LT067044060004305917, SEB bank.
Write in the destination: Support for fire victims.
Contact: [email protected]
Tags: house incredible history beautiful places Lithuania mourned owner
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