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Soviet Lithuania (2)

Šiauliai

Major military facility of the Lithuanian Air Force and one of the air bases of the NATO Baltic Air Policing mission. The joint-use airport is also known by its historic name of Zokniai aerodrome. First used as an aerial warfare facility in 1916–1917, when the German forces built hangars for their Zeppelin airships. The concrete runways were first built during the German occupation in 1943. Following the Soviet occupation of Lithuania, the aerodrome was taken over by the Soviet forces. Following the independence restoration in 1991, the airport was soon returned to the Lithuanian Air Force. It was further modernized in 2004 when Lithuania joined NATO. It became a NATO air base, hosting the Baltic Air Policing mission, with the first NATO F-16 jet fighters from the Belgian Air Component landing on 29 March 2004. The civilian use is primarily for the aircraft maintenance and cargo transportation.

Vilniaus Street, like Tilžės Street, was built in the 18th century. This is a historic tract leading from the east to the west; like Tilžės Street, from the south to the north. In the 20th century, rebuilding and expanding the city that was severely damaged during World War I, Vilniaus Street was built up with buildings designed in the expressive interwar architecture - Art Nouveau - style. A number of 2-4 storey buildings on Vilniaus Street (from Tilžės Street to Didždvaris gymnasium) have survived until now. During the Soviet times, after World War II, Vilniaus Street buildings were restored or reconstructed, adapted to the then needs, the structures and symbols specific to the Soviet period appeared. Until 1974, the street was very busy; it was one of the main transport and commercial arteries of Šiauliai city. In 1975, the central part of Vilniaus Street (from Žemaites Street to P. Višinskio Street) was transformed into a pedestrian street. At the time, Vilniaus pedestrian street was a unique phenomenon not only in Lithuania but also in the whole Soviet Union. The second part of the pedestrian street was set up in 1986, commemorating the 750th anniversary of Šiauliai city. After the street segment from P. Višinskio Street to Draugystes Avenue was reconstructed, the pedestrian zone had extended, totalling 1280 meters in length. After the Restoration of Independence of Lithuania, this part of the city intensively developed and became very beautiful, turning into the most important hub of leisure, recreation, entertainment, and shopping for Šiauliai residents.

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