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Town Hall (Rotuse) - Meet your Comrade guide on the steps into Vilnius Town Hall, next to the Tourism Information Office.
Hear the introduction into historical context of USSR creation, stages of planned economy according the eras of Communist party leaders Stalin, Khrushchev and Brezhnev. - Vokiečių gatvė - Beginning our walking tour at the beginning of Vokiečių (Germans) street and finding out how this once main but still narrow street (9 m wide) of Vilnius Old Town as was widened 4 times to meet the criteria of avenues of Soviet ideology. Entering the biggest backyard of the street to discover more of Stalin’s Soviet ideology – why all nations and people are equal but some are more equal than others and Cold War bomb shelters for those “more equals”.
- Rūdninkų gatvė - Rudininkai Square – Here you will get introduced to painful history of Ghettos, Holocaust and deportations to Siberia. Find out what targets Soviets have reached by systematically deporting and relocating whole nations.
- The Egg - Hear the story how Church was separated from the state and the belief in the Party substituted belief in God and how Lithuanians resisted this replacement and cancellation of Christmas celebration. Stay in constant “Wow!” listening about the culture of cues by grocery shops, lack of food and household products, reflected in the stories of personal experiences.
- Šv. Stepono gatvė - While passing St. Stephen’s street observe the buildings and discover the principles of Soviet communal housing – its peculiarities and “culture”, decades-long cues to get the tiny apartment from the state and how we have raised our children and grandchildren while waiting.
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Vilnius Šopeno gatvė - Lunch in Soviet-style café-canteen – now, Comrades, let’s have a lunch and experience Soviet service. Hear the stories of food chain in USSR.
P.S. Food is edible and goes better with shot of vodka or pint of beer (in fact Soviet era dishes are quite delicious :) -
Kablys - The Hook (former Palace of Railway Workers)
Get hooked on the absurdities of Soviet regime - various “palaces”/public spaces where Homo Sovieticus had to spend his/her leisure time participating in various workshops and classes, watching Soviet movies and attending propaganda-filled meetings. -
Loftas - We will continue strolling on Kaunas street, observing Soviet architecture and approaching industrial district where factories were producing mix of civil/military products.
We unveil to you some secrets and classified facts. - Švitrigailos gatvė - Trolley bus ride – unforgettable experience first time in the life for many of you.
- Vilniaus m. savivaldybes administracija, civilines metrikacijos skyrius - Palace of Marriages – another “palace” with its odd traditions and purpose to lead you not to the happiness but to regulated family life – for many - pure survival in order to advance in the cue for state housing. Find out why there was no sex in USSR.
- Tauras Hill - Enjoy mesmerizing panoramic views to the City from Taurus Hill and discover another “palace” – The Palace of Unions, hear the stories about purpose and function of unions in Soviet Union. Observe the KGB eavesdrop free pub, KGB eavesdrop full hotel, TV Tower, Parliament. Find out more about Perestroika and Lithuania’s Way of Freedom, Singing Revolution and Declaration of Independence.
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KGB Museum (Genocido Auku Muziejus) - We conclude our tour by this gloomy building with the darkest history and let you go to spend time on your own in one of most visited museums in Lithuania.
Farewell Friends!
- Public transportation ticket included
- Lunch
- Tickets to KGB museum (6€ pp)
Being a private tour, enjoy the undivided attention of a local guide who is knowledgeable about the area.
Unravel the city’s as well as the country’s heritage, along with personal narratives from the era of the Iron Curtain; all the while appreciating the architecture and sampling cuisine from the Soviet period.
Understand why kitchens in the Soviet apartments were restricted to 9 square meters, why canned green peas and mayonnaise were the favorite products during that era and why only a civil marriage registration assured marriage bliss. Also, learn about the novel wedding customs invented by taxi drivers, and why there was an absence of sex in the Soviet Union!
Arrange for 15 Euros for a Soviet-style brunch in a canteen that will keep you full and momentarily content.
Discover a variety of oddities, peculiar rules, deceptive propaganda, government lies and actual scarcity.
Anticipate receiving much more than what a normal group tour offers, gain impartial guidance and form a new friendship.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.