The Untold Story in the Sands
It doesn’t come as a surprise that I am a big lover of meaningful stories and histories of art, monuments, and culture. While visiting Palanga and that area on the coast of the Baltic Sea, I was absolutely mesmerized by an amazing sculpture that I have also carried from the memories of my childhood.
It was unveiled in 1982, on the windswept dunes near the port of Šventoji, Lithuania. A striking 4-meter-tall sculpture titled Žvejo Dukros (Fisherman’s Daughters). Created by artist Zuzana Pranaitytė, the sculpture depicts three long-haired girls gazing out to sea, waiting for their father to return from fishing. For decades, this public artwork has symbolized the lives of coastal families whose existence was closely tied to the sea and the perils of the fishing trade.
However, as revealed in a 2016 article by Lietuvos rytas, the meaning of this sculpture is far more complex and poignant. According to the artist’s niece, Lina Wahl, the three girls are not merely fisherman’s daughters. In fact, Pranaitytė confided that the sculpture represents the three Baltic States—Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia—looking westward, seeking help and freedom from Soviet occupation. This deeper symbolism turns the artwork into a powerful political statement about the Baltic nations' longing for independence and their desire to escape Soviet control.
The placement of the girls is deliberate: Lithuania stands in the center, flanked by its Baltic neighbours, united in their shared struggles and aspirations. Their gaze toward the West signifies hope for liberation, subtly subverting the official narrative of Soviet control during a time when direct criticism of the regime was impossible. This hidden meaning transforms Žvejo Dukros from a simple coastal monument into a silent cry for freedom and solidarity during a period of oppression.
The creation of this sculpture was not an easy task for Pranaitytė. According to Wahl, her aunt had to create the design nine times before it was finalized. The process required immense emotional and physical energy. Wahl also recalled how she, as a teenager, would pose for her aunt, helping her sculpt the figures, particularly the legs and fingers of the "daughters." The final sculptures were sent to Leningrad, where they were cast in metal before being transported back to Lithuania and installed in the dunes of Šventoji.
Žvejo Dukros remains a powerful symbol, both of the rich maritime traditions of Lithuania’s coastal communities and the hidden resistance of its people during Soviet rule. Today, it stands as a testament to both the resilience of the Lithuanian spirit and the deep, often concealed, meanings embedded in art during oppressive regimes. I felt certainly very grateful to have re-visited this wonderful and powerful monument.
For more information do visit Visit Palanga website.
All photography is by Evelina Kvartunaite.
