I came across the Hill of Crosses about 12 km north of
Siauliai in Lithuania for the first time
in 2018 and I couldn’t help but be impressed by the sight of so many crosses
posed together on a small countryside hill with almost nothing else around.
Locals say that the first of these crosses were constructed
in the mid 19th century in prayer to God. At that time, people considered this
hill to be a sacred place. Others believe that the first crosses were erected
in the mid-19th century in memory to those who perished during the rebellions
against Tsarist Russia, who occupied the
country from 1831 to 1863.
During their occupation, Russia prohibited the installation
of any new crosses and demolished all
existing ones.
In the spring of 1961 however, the then Soviet authorities
decided to have the military destroy the Hill of Crosses with strict orders
that the wooden crosses be burnt, the metal ones be scrapped and the stone and
concrete ones either be used for road building or be buried.
However, it should be remembered that throughout the period
of the Russian occupation of
Lithuania, the Hill of Crosses was always a symbol of
unwavering resistance and of an equally unwavering belief in freedom.
Thinking about what is happening in the world at the present
time, I wanted to make this book, and so, I went back to Lithuania recently to take
more photos of the hill.
There, I could see that people have continued to add
crosses, and that the old crosses damaged by time are still there too.
I felt the silent strength of their resistance and of their
prayer for peace.
With these sentiments in mind, I made this book.
Edition of 20. 19,5x14cm. 2025
You can find this book at Codex Book Art Fair, Table 135
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