Memory of the World Programme

UNESCO established the Memory of the World (MoW) Programme in 1992. The Programme seeks to encourage universal access to documentary history. It also aims to raise awareness of its role in shaping the world we live in today and the importance of preserving it for future generations. The mission of the Memory of the World Programme is: 

  • To facilitate preservation, by the most appropriate techniques, of the world's documentary heritage. This may be done by direct practical assistance, by the dissemination of advice and information and the encouragement of training, or by linking sponsors with timely and appropriate projects.
  • To assist universal access to documentary heritage. This will include encouragement to make digitized copies and catalogues available on the Internet, as well as the publication and distribution of books, CDs, DVDs, and other products, as widely and equitably as possible. Where access has implications for custodians, these are respected. Legislative and other limitations on the accessibility of archives are recognised. Cultural sensitivities, including indigenous communities' custodianship of their materials, and their guardianship of access will be honoured. Private property rights are guaranteed in law.
  • To increase awareness worldwide of the existence and significance of documentary heritage. Means include, but are not limited to, developing the Memory of the World registers, the media, and promotional and information publications. Preservation and access, of themselves, not only complement each other - but also raise awareness, as access demand stimulates preservation work. The making of access copies, to relieve pressure on the use of preservation materials, is encouraged.

The International Advisory Committee (IAC) is the peak body responsible for advising UNESCO on the planning and implementation of the MoW Programme as a whole. It comprises 14 members serving in a personal capacity, appointed by the Director-General of UNESCO, and chosen for their authority in the field of the safeguarding of documentary heritage.

As of 2017, Ms Irena Krivienė, the Director General of Vilnius University Library, is a member of the IAC.

In April 2004, UNESCO’s Executive Board approved the establishment of the UNESCO/Jikji MoW Prize as a means of promoting the Programme and commemorating the inscription of the Jikji, or the "Buljo jikji simche yojeol”, the oldest existing book made through movable metal print. The Prize consists of a biennial award of US$ 30,000 to individuals or institutions that have made significant contributions to the preservation and accessibility of documentary heritage. The Prize is open to the governments of Member States and international non-governmental organizations maintaining formal relations with UNESCO.

The International Memory of the World Register, established in 1995, is a catalogue of the world’s most prized documentary and audiovisual heritage.

In 2009, the International MoW Register recognized two document collections related to Lithuania as a documentary heritage of global significance. The Baltic Way – Human Chain Linking Three States in Their Drive for Freedom and Radziwills‘ Archives and Niasvizh (Nieśwież) Library Collection were enlisted into the Register.

In 2017, The Act of the Union of Lublin document (documentary heritage submitted by Poland, Lithuania, Ukraine, Belarus, Latvia) was also inscribed onto the International MoW Register.

Lithuanian National Memory of the World Committee

The National Memory of the World Committee, established in 1996, is a voluntary team of experts, elected for the period of four years, whose professional experience and knowledge help to implement five key strategies of the Programme:  identification of documentary heritage, raising awareness, preservation, access, and developing structures, status and relationships.

The composition of the Committee for the period 2020–2023:

Chairperson - Prof. Dr. Rimvydas Laužikas (Dean of the Faculty of Communication at Vilnius University)

Secretary - Miglė Mašanauskienė (Communication programme coordinator at the Lithuanian National Commission for UNESCO Secretariat)

Dr. Ona Aleknavičienė (The Institute of the Lithuanian Language), Dr. Povilas Blaževičius (Member of ICOM Lithuania Board, National Museum of Lithuania), Dr. Juozapas Blažiūnas (Director of Lithuanian Archives of Literature and Arts), Dr. Rima Cicėnienė (The Wroblewski  Library of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences), Daina Čenytė (The Office of the Chief Archivist of Lithuania), Neringa Češkevičiūtė (Lithuanian State Historical Archives), Gintaras Dručkus (Director of Kaunas Regional State Archives), Nijolė Klingaitė-Dasevičienė (Vilnius University Library), Dr. Ramūnas Antanas Kondratas (The Vilnius University Museum), Danutė Kontrimavičienė (Director of Lithuanian State Modern Archives), Dr. Viktorija Vaitkevičiūtė Verbickienė (The Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania), Dr. Dalia Vasiliūnienė (Member of the National Commission for Cultural Heritage, Lithuanian Culture Research Institute), Dr. Rūta Pileckaitė-Vasilienė (Head of Memory Institutions Policy Group at the Ministry of Culture, in her absence - Laimis Mikelevičius, Ministry of Culture).

Institutions represented at the Committee are responsible for protection and promotion of documentary heritage. In close cooperation with the Lithuanian National Commission for UNESCO the Committee has formulated and adopted the Regulations of the Committee and Regulations of the National Memory of the World  Register. Since 2005, the Committee has launched the National Register and started its promotion.

Lithuanian National Memory of the World Register

The Register lists documentary heritage approved for inclusion by the National Memory of the World Committee and experts who present their conclusions. Selection of the heritage for the inscription is guided by the main criteria of the International Register with regards to the national circumstances. The Register helps to make responsible institutions aware of the total documentary heritage held by various kinds of organizations and private individuals, and the need for coordinated strategies to ensure the endangered heritage is protected. The aim of the Register is to help custodians identify the most valuable objects of documentary heritage, give advice regarding its further protection and promotion. The Regulations of the Lithuanian National Register regulate the purpose, objectives and legal prerequisites of the Register, principles and criteria for selection of documentary heritage of global, regional or national significance and the procedure for compiling, filling in and publishing the Register.

In 2006, the first documents and their collections were inscribed onto the Lithuanian National Memory of the World Register. The Catechism by Martynas Mažvydas, dated 1547, was the very first inscription. The only copy of the book in Lithuania is held at Vilnius University Library. 

 The Register contains 82 items of documentary heritage: 42 have regional (European) significance, 40 – national significance.

2006

  1. Martynas Mažvydas. Catechismusa prasty szadei, makslas skaitima raschta yr giesmes, Königsberg, 1547. Regional significance; Custodian: Vilnius University Library

  2. The Act of the Re-establishment of the State of Lithuania, 11 March 1990, Vilnius. Regional significance; Custodian: Lithuanian State Modern Archive

  3. Royal charter granted to the Vilnius cathedral by the Grand Duke of Lithuania and King of Poland Jogaila, 17 February 1387, Vilnius. Regional significance; Custodian: Wroblewski Library of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences

  4. Royal charter granted by the King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania Stephen Báthory for the reorganization of the Vilnius Jesuit College into a university, 7 July 1578, Lvov

    Royal charter of the King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania Stephen Báthory granting the Vilnius Jesuit College the rights and privileges of an academy or university, 1 April 1579, Vilnius

    Bull of Pope Gregory XIII ratifying the founding of Vilnius University, 30 October 1579, Rome

    Regional significance; Custodian: Lithuanian State History Archive

  1. Laureae Academicae seu Liber continens ritum promotorum ad gradum doctoratus, licentiatus, magisterii et baccalaureatus in alma Academia Vilnensi Soc. Iesu comparatus et ordinatus anno 1650. Regional significance; Custodian: Vilnius University Library

  2. A collection of documents from the end of the 14th century to the beginning of the 20th century written in Old Church Slavonic. Regional significance; Custodian: Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania

  3. Postcard Salut de Vilna. Montagne de château with the postmark of 27 November 1897. National significance; Custodian: Lithuanian Archive of Literature and Art

  4. Kaunas photographers. Old portrait photography in Kaunas, 1863–1940. National significance; Custodian: Kaunas University of Technology Library

  5. Ethnographic archive of the Šiauliai Ethnographic Society, 1927–1940. National significance; Custodian: Šiauliai Aušros Museum

  6. Drawings of ANBO-IV (ANBO-41) by Lithuanian Air Force Brigadier General Antanas Gustaitis, 1930s. National significance; Custodian: Lithuanian Aviation Museum

  7. Personal archive of Juozas Miltinis, 19401994. National significance; Custodian: Panevežys District Gabrielė Petkevičaitė-Bitė Public Library

  8. Set of construction drawings by Balys Karvelis of his BK-4 glider, 1955–1956. National significance; Custodian: Lithuanian Aviation Museum

 2007

  1. Short selection of gospels for the holy days (fragment of the Turov Gospel), 11th century. Regional significance; Custodian: Wroblewski Library of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences

  2. Mikalojus Daukša. Kathechismas arba Mokslas kiekwienam krikszczionii priwalvs, Vilnius, 1595. Regional significance; Custodian: Vilnius University Library

  3. Jonas Jaknavičius. Ewangelie polskie y litewskie, Vilnius, 1647. Regional significance; Custodian: Kaunas University of Technology Library

  4. Matteo Praetorio. Deliciae Prussicae oder Preussische Schaubühne, 1690. Regional significance; Custodian: Vilnius University Library

  5. Liber Aureus Caesareae Societatis Medicae Vilnensis [Golden Book of the Imperial Vilnius Medical Society], 19th century. Regional significance; Custodian: Vilnius University Library

  6. The Vilnius Jewish ghetto fonds.  Inventory Nr. 2 of play-bills, posters and announcements of plays, concerts, lectures, celebrations, sporting events and meetings, 19421943. Regional significance; Custodian: Lithuanian Central State Archive

  7. Photograph album from the Mikhail Nikolayevich Muravjov Museum archive, 19th century. Regional significance; Custodian: Lithuanian State History Archive

  8. Collection of Lithuanian shellac records, early 20th century. National significance; Custodian: Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania

  9. Film subjects Pirmoji visos Lietuvos dainų šventė and Trečioji Lietuvos žemės ūkio ir pramonės paroda, 23-25 August 1924. National significance; Custodian: Lithuanian Central State Archive

  10. Film subject Lietuvos patriarcho dr. Jono Basanavičiaus laidotuvės, 1927. National significance; Custodian: Lithuanian Central State Archive

  11. Letters of Janina Čižinauskaitė written to her family in 1942 from the Ninth Fort in Kaunas. National significance; Custodian: Kaunas Ninth Fort Museum

2008 

  1. Tetraevangelija (also the Sapieha or Zhyrovichy gospel), mid-16th century. Regional significance; Custodian: Wroblewski Library of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences

  2. Jan Seklucjan. Katechismu text prosti dla prostego ludu. Königsberg, 1545. Regional significance; Custodian: Wroblewski Library of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences

  3. Map entitled Mappa rzeki Wilij, od jej żródla aż do pierwszej przystani handlowej w Kostykach, zdjęta podczas żeglugi odbytej po tej rzece w 1857m roku przez Konstantego hr[abiego] Tyszkiewicza, rzeczywystego członka Wileńskiej Archeologicznej Komissyi i Muzeum Starożytności, rzekę mierzył i mappę rysowal Jerzy Szantyr, 1857

    [Map of the upper reaches of the Neris River from its source to the first commercial wharf near the village of Kostykach, created in 1857 during the expedition along that river by the Vilnius Archaeological Commission's and the Antiquities Museum's true member Count Konstanty Tyszkiewicz. The river was measured and the map drawn by Jerzy Szantyr, 1857]

    and

    Atlas entitled Atlas raf głównych na rzece Wiliji zmierzonych i zrysowanych podczas wycieczki naukowej, odbytej po tej rzece w 1857 roku przez Konstantego hrabiego Tyszkiewicza i przez tegoż złożone w Wileńskim Muzeum w 1859 roku, pisał Jerzy Szantyr, 1859

    [Atlas of the most important shoals of the Neris River. The shoals were measured and drawn during the 1857 scientific expedition along that river organized by Count Konstanty Tyszkiewicz. The atlas was presented to the Vilnius Antiquities Museum in 1859 by Konstanty Tyszkiewicz; drawn by Jerzy Szantyr, 1859]

    Regional significance; Custodian: Vilnius University Library

  4. Map of the Duchy of Biržai by Józef Naronowicz Naroński, 1645. Regional significance; Custodian: Biržai Region Museum Sėla

  5. Collection of Lithuanian folk music recordings, 19081949. Regional significance; Custodian: Lithuanian Literature and Folklore Institute

  6. Audiovisual documents bearing witness to the political protest action on 23 August 1989: the Baltic Way – a human chain linking three states in their drive for freedom. Regional significance; Custodian: Lithuanian Central State Archive

  7. Baltramiejus Vilentas. Enchiridion. Catechismas maszas..., Königsberg: published through Jurgis Ostenbergeras, 1579

    and

    Baltramiejus Vilentas. Evangelias bei Epistolas..., Königsberg: published through Jurgis Ostenbergeras, 1579

    National significance; Custodian: Vilnius University Library

  8. Drawings on birch bark by Jan Rustem entitled Suimtieji and Moters portretas, 19th century. National significance; Custodian: Lithuanian State Archive

  9. Manuscript by Jurgis Ambraziejus Pabrėža entitled Tayslós augumyynis kóremy taalpynas augimys..., 18351843. National significance; Custodian: Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania

  10. The 1922 Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania. National significance; Custodian: Lithuanian Central State Archive

  11. Manuscript of Maironis’s first collection of poems The Voices of Spring, 1927. National significance; Custodian: Maironis Lithuanian Literature Museum

  12. Archive of Mstislav Dobuzhinsky, 20th century. National significance; Custodian: Lithuanian Theatre, Music and Film Museum

  13. Vladas Putvinskis-Pūtvis family archive, 20th century. National significance; Custodian: Aušra History Museum of Šiauliai

  14. Declaration of February 16, 1949 by the Council of the Union of Lithuanian Freedom Fighters. National significance; Custodian: Lithuanian Special Archive

  15. Documentary film Kurėno sugrįžimas, 1993. National significance; Custodian: Lithuanian National Radio and Television

  16. Documentary film cycle Lietuvininkų kraštas, 1998. National significance; Custodian: Lithuanian National Radio and Television

 2011

  1. Avraamka chronicle, 1495. Regional significance; Custodian:  Wroblewski Library of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences

  2. Liber Extraordinarius Provincialis (the examination register of the Lithuanian Jesuit Province), 15821642. Regional significance; Custodian: Vilnius University Library

  3. Wiresnibe arba roda siociesa Letuwos wayska Tadeusza Kosciuszkas galwos [Circular of 15 May 1794 by the Supreme National Council of Lithuania concerning the Universal (Appeal) issued by Tadeusz Kościuszko on 2 May 1794]; Vilnius: Akademijos spaustu, 1794. Regional significance; Custodian:  Wroblewski Library of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences

  4. Royal charter of Lithuanian Grand Duke Alexander Jagiellon, confirming the founding of the St. Trinity Church in Vitebsk, Vilnius, 17 August 1503. Regional significance; Custodian:  Wroblewski Library of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences

  5. Photographs of exile by Vilhelmas Janiselis, 19491958. Regional significance; Custodian: Lithuanian Central State Archive

  6. Vilnius University herbarium collection, 17811842. Regional significance; Custodian:  Vilnius University Herbarium

  7. Lithuanian publications from displaced person camps, 19451952. National significance; Custodian: Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania

  8. Manuscripts of Lithuanian prayers, 16th century. National significance; Custodian:  Vilnius University Library

  9. Diary of Father Jurgis Matulaitis, 1918 1919, 1921

    and

    Papal bulls of Pope Benedict XV appointing Father Jurgis Matulaitis the Bishop of Vilnius, 1918

    National significance; Custodian:  Lithuanian Central State Archive

  10. Manuscripts of Antanas Miškinis’ exile poetry, 1941 1953. National significance; Custodian:  Maironis Lithuanian Literature Museum

2013

  1. Statut Wielkiego Xięstwa Litewskiego od Nayiasnieyszego Hospodara Króla J. M. Zygmunta Augusta Roku 1564 w. Bielsku wydany or the Second Lithuanian Statute. Regional significance; Custodian:  Vilnius University Library

  2. Jonas Rikovijus. Neues... Gesangbuch... // Naujos... GIESMJU KNYGOS..., Karaliaučius, 1685. Regional significance; Custodian:  Vilnius University Library

  3. Autographs of Kristijonas Donelaitis: Donalitius C. Pawasario Linksmybės; Wasaros darbai [parts of the poem Metai]; Fortsetzung [fragment about Selmas's farmhouse; together with a fragment from a letter to an unknown addressee]; Letters: Szirdings' Brolau! S. T. Hochzuehrrender, Mein geliebter, schoner Freund! Tolminkemen, d. 16. August 1777 [two letters to Johann Gottfried Jordan, pastor of the Valtarkiemis parish]. Regional significance; Custodian:  Institute of Lithuanian Literature and Folklore

  4. Letter by a landowner to his peasants about the benefits of dividing pastures. Translated from German by R.D. [Kristijonas Donelaitis], Königsberg, 19 November 1769. Regional significance; Custodian:  Wroblewski Library of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences

  5. Books in Hebrew published in Lithuania during 17591900. Regional significance; Custodian:  Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania

  6. Folklore collections of the Lithuanian Scientific Society, 19thmid-20th century. National significance; Custodian:  Institute of Lithuanian Literature and Folklore and Vilnius University Library

  7. Film collection of the Kėdainiai Film Studio Mėgėjas, 19632004. National significance; Custodian:  Kėdainiai Film Studio Mėgėjas

2015

  1. Royal charters granted by the King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania Sigismund II Augustus in 1563 and 1568 stipulating that Catholic and Orthodox boyars in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania had equal rights in the areas of state service and landownership, 1563 and 1568. Regional significance; Custodian:  Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania

  2. Engraving View of the city of Grodno [Gardino vaizdas], Nuremberg, 1568. Regional significance; Custodian:  National Museum Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania

  3. Pope Clement VIII's brief Quae ad sanctorum, Rome, 7 November 1602. Regional significance; Custodian:  Wroblewski Library of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences

  4. Second edition of Pranciškus Šrubauskis's catechism, 1725. National significance; Custodian:  Vilnius University Library

  5. Maps illustrating the parceling out of Lithuanian manors and the apportionment of villages and towns into farms and lots, 18541946. National significance; Custodian:  Lithuanian Central State Archive

  6. Manuscripts of Antanas Baranauskas’ translations of Biblija, Rasztas Szwentas Seno ir Naujo Testamento and Knįga Psalmu, 1901 1902. National significance; Custodian: Vilnius University Library

  7. Documents on birch bark (letters of Siberian deportees), 1942 1950. National significance; Custodian: Genocide and Resistance Research Centre of Lithuania

2017

  1. Teodor Narbutt's annotated copy of his work Dzieje starożytne narodu litewskiego, 1835 1841. Regional significance; Custodian: Wroblewski Library of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences

  2. Fulgenty Dryjacki's prayer book Thesaurus sacratissimae vitae passionis praetiosissimi sanguinis D. N. Iesu Christi, illustrated by Aleksander Tarasewicz, Vilnius, 1682. Regional significance; Custodian: Wroblewski Library of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences

  3. Map of the Soviet mass deportation action from the Baltic States code-named Operation Priboi, 1949. National significance; Custodian:  Lithuanian Special Archive

  4. Mattityahu Strashun's collection of Jewish books from the 16th 19th centuries. Regional significance; Custodian: Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania

  5. Book of reports In Honor of Vytautas the Great, 1930. National significance; Custodian: Lithuanian Central State Archive

2019 

  1. Elijah ben Solomon Zalman's published works. National significance; Custodian: Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania

  1. Autographs of Simonas Daukantas' original works and translations, 1831 1858. National significance; Custodians: Institute of Lithuanian Literature and Folklore, Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania and the Vilnius University Library

  1. Stasys Ušinskas' puppet film Storulio sapnas [Fat man's dream] and collection of puppet sketches, 1938. National significance; Custodians: Rasa Ušinskaitė and the Lithuanian Central State Archive

  1. Martynas Mažvydas' autograph, 15461548. National significance; Custodian:  Vilnius University Library

  1. Panegyric Capitolium perennis gloriae... Kiev, 1690. Regional significance; Custodian: Wroblewski Library of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences

  1. Collection of documents of the informal Lithuanian language school at the Order of Friars Minor Annunciation Monastery in Kretinga, first half of the 19th century. National significance; Custodians: Order of Friars Minor Province of St. Casimir Annunciation Monastery Library in Kretinga; Wroblewski Library of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences and the Vilnius University Library

2021

      75. Membership book of the Sweetest Name of Mary Brotherhood. Regional significance; Custodian: Wroblewski Library of the Lithuanian                Academy of Sciences

      76. Composite book with two incunabula: Artikule sněmovni z roku 1497 (1497) and  Zřízení zemské Vladislavské (1500). Regional                          significance; Custodian: The Wroblewski Library of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences

      77. Manuscript of an early Lithuanian grammar Trumpa kalbamokslė liežuvio lietuviško  by Kazimieras Kristupas Daukša. National                              significance; Custodian: Vilnius University Library

      78. Hymnal of Kristijonas Endrikis Mertikaitis. Regional significance; Custodian: Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania

      79. Chronicle of the Catholic Church in Lithuania. Regional significance; Custodian: Kaunas Archdiocese Museum

      80. Miniature depicting Lithuanian Grand Duke Vytautas the Great and his wife Ona Vytautienė. National significance; Custodian: National              Museum – Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania

      81. Literary documents of Bronius Krivickas. National significance; Custodian: Biržai Region Museum Sėla

      82. Manuscripts of Siberian exile by Dalia Grinkevičiūtė. Regional significance; Custodian: National Musem of Lithuania