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Stepono Dariaus ir Stasio Gireno Paminklas

Monument to Steponas Darius and Stasys Girėnas

Stasys Girėnas (known as Stanley T. Girenas; born Stasys Girskis) (Vytogala, Lithuania, 1893 - near Soldin, Germany, 1933) and Steponas Darius (known as Stephen Darius; born Steponas Darašius) (Rubliiškė, Lithuania 1896 - near Soldin, Germany, 1933) Lithuanian-American pilots (Wikipedia: Girėnas) – Girėnas)

Bronius Pundzius & Juozas Šlivinskas
1993

Kaunas / Stepono Dariaus ir Stasio Gireno Paminklas

Description

25 m high obelisk with at the foot a bronze sculpture with the busts of Steponas Darius and Stasys Girėnas.

Inscription(s)

DARIUI IR GIRĖNUI dėking tauta	To Darius and Girėnas the grateful people
....savo skridima skiriama ir aukojame tau. jaunoji lietuva !" is stepono dariaus ir stasio girėno testamento 1933 m.	Translation?

Annotation

On 15 July 1933 Steponas Darius and Stasys Girėnas attempted a nonstop flight from New York City, to Kaunas, Lithuania - a total of 7,186 km, in a Bellanca CH-300 Pacemaker airplane named Lituanica. After successfully crossing the Atlantic Ocean in 37 hours and 11 minutes, their plane crashed on July 17, 0:36 AM (Berlin Time) by the village of Kuhdamm, near Soldin, Germany (now Pszczelnik, Myślibórz County, Poland). Difficult weather conditions combined with engine defects were the findings of the official investigation. Both aviators were killed in the crash. They had covered a distance of 3,984 miles (6,411 kilometers) without landing, only 650 km short of their final destination.

The monument is constructed in 1993 after a pre-War design by Bronius Pundzius; the architect was Algimantas Nasvytis. It was unveiled 17 July 1993, the 60th anniversary of the death of the both pilots.

Sculptors

Bronius Pundzius (Pievėnai 1907 - Vilnius 1959), Lithuanian sculptor (Wikipedia).
Juozas Šlivinskas (Pavištyčio k. 1950), Lithuanian sculptor (Wikipedia).

Sources & Information

Kauno Miesto Savivaldybė, Tvarkomas S. Dariaus ir S. Girėno paminklas.
Wikimapia.

Locatie (N 54°53'56" - E 23°56'8") (Satellite view: Google Maps)

Item Code: lt153; Photograph: 15 July 2013
Of each statue we made photos from various angles and also detail photos of the various texts.
If you want to use photos, please contact us via the contact form (in Dutch, English or German).
© Website and photos: René & Peter van der Krogt

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