Description of organisation

The Management of Trakai Historical National Park (Trakų istorinio nacionalinio parko direkcija; hereafter The Management) is a state-funded organisation which has been set up to meet the aims and objectives of Trakai Historical National Park. This park is one of Lithuania's five national parks which represent the country's heritage, history and diverse natural landscapes. It was founded in 1991 by the Lithuanian Restoration Seimas in order to preserve the cultural sites of Lithuanian historical statehood along with their genuine natural environs. This compact ensemble of natural and cultural heritage, which reflects important periods and events in the history of Lithuania and eastern Europe as a whole, covers an area of 8,200 ha which includes more than 32 lakes. Here we can see a unique cultural landscape centred on a historic town and castles nestled in the lake land as well as traditional agricultural villages, fieldscapes and areas where primaeval natural formations still survive. The Management seeks to preserve the cultural and natural values of this territory, encouraging conservation, restoration and sustainable use. Since 1997 The Management has begun the effort to raise from complete degradation the Užutrakis Manor ensemble, which was founded in 1897-1902 by count Józef Tyszkiewicz and his wife duchess Jadwiga Swiętopułk-Czetwertyńska. The ensemble, situated on the shore of Lake Galve, is famous for the luxurious palace created by the Polish architect Józef Huss (1846-1904), and the park which was designed by the world-known French landscape architect and botanist Édouard François André (1840-1911). The ensemble was severely damaged during World War II and subsequent Soviet occupation, therefore The Management undertook its restoration, which was financed by the EU Structural Funds, the budget of the Republic of Lithuania and the Lithuanian Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage of the Republic of Poland. The project, which included the full restoration of the palace with its original interiors and the revitalization of the park, proved successful and today we can admire the Užutrakis Manor ensemble again as one of the most beautiful residences in Lithuania amongst other important European cultural routes. The restored ensemble has become home for concerts, exibitions, pleners and other cultural and educational activities.

Inclusion topics

This organisation is willing to involve volunteers who face situations which make their participation in activities more difficult, from the following categories for different types of project:

• Social obstacles