More than 60 Lithuanian cities invite you to get to know Čiurlionis, programme starts abroad
We continue to celebrate the 150th birthday of Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis at events throughout Lithuania and abroad: concerts, a virtual reality film, exhibitions and book presentations in February.
On 16 February, the National Philharmonic will celebrate Lithuanian State Restoration Day with a concert programme " Dedication to Lithuania " („Dedikacija Lietuvai“) by Modestas Pitrėnas and Lukas Geniušas, together with the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra and Vilnius Choir. The programme will feature the voices of Monika Pleškytė, Ieva Prudnikovaitė, Tomas Pavilionis, Tadas Girininkas, "Dzūkiškas variations" („Dzūkiškas variacijas“) by the most prominent Lithuanian composer Bronius Kutavičius, as well as the works of younger generations of composers such as Zita Bružaitė, Donatas Zakaras, Antanas Kučinskas and Raminta Šerkšnytė, who were inspired by Čiurlionis.
"The presence of Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis in the Philharmonic's concerts has always been profound," says Rūta Prusevičienė, General Director of the Lithuanian National Philharmonic, which is organising the event. "I believe that Čiurlionis speaks brilliantly to all future generations. His work is so adaptable to different minds and ways of thinking that his art thrives wonderfully in 3D, virtual, and various other formats – everything fits with him! He aestheticises these modern forms and creates an extraordinary impact. Today, all of Čiurlionis’ codes speak in a way that is clearly understood."
On 20 February, the virtual reality experience "Creation of worlds" („Pasaulių sutvėrimas“) by Kristina Buožytė and Vitalijus Žukas will begin its journey across Lithuania. "These are entirely new paintings, ones that were not part of „On the paths of angels“ („Angelų takais“)," says Kristina Buožytė, introducing the new experience. "We will offer more interactivity, allowing the audience to feel freer in this world. It will be engaging, innovative, and deeply emotional."
With the help of special glasses, viewers will be transported into an imagined world of the artist, exploring it like a fairy tale while being interactively and emotionally engaged in discovering creative forces – one of the most relevant and recurring themes in M. K. Čiurlionis' works. The virtual reality experience will arrive in each of the more than 60 towns and cities across Lithuania.
At the Vilnius Book Fair, starting on 27 February, presentations are planned for Aušra Česnulevičienė’s " Čiurlionis trails. Walks through Dzūkija" („Čiurlionių takais. Pažingsniavimai po Dzūkiją“) and Darius Kučinskas’ " Chronological catalogue of the music of Mikalojus Konstantinos Čiurlionis." („Chronologinis Mikalojaus Konstantino Čiurlionio muzikos katalogas.“)
Aušra Česnulevičienė’s book explores locations associated with Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis and his family. The publication includes visual, textual, and historical materials, along with photographs and maps, designed to guide readers along the first National Čiurlionis Cultural Route.
Darius Kučinskas presents a chronological catalogue of Čiurlionis’ music in both Lithuanian and English, detailing his compositions and manuscripts. The book also includes information on more than a hundred previously unlisted works or fragments that were not mentioned in earlier compilations of Čiurlionis' oeuvre.
On 16 February, the exhibition "Museum’s Golden Fund" („Muziejaus Aukso fondas“) will also open at the Druskininkai City Museum. It will feature works from the museum’s collection, which includes pieces from the "M. K. Čiurlionis Days" („M. K. Čiurlionio dienos“) open-air workshops held in Druskininkai between 1979 and 2000. These workshops brought together artists from Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, Russia, Belarus, Ireland, France, and Finland.
Moreover, the commemoration of Čiurlionis Year is beginning at Lithuanian diplomatic missions abroad. The first concert in the event series will take place on 11 February in Helsinki, Finland, featuring the Čiurlionis Quartet and Petras Geniušas. The audience will hear Čiurlionis’ String Quartet in C minor and Prelude and Fugue for Piano. This year, the works of Lithuania’s artistic genius will also be showcased in Taipei, Tokyo, Baku, Tbilisi, and other cities.
In 2025, we will celebrate the 150th anniversary of Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis, a milestone recognised by UNESCO. For more information about the "Čiurlioniui 150" programme, overseen by the Office of the Government, visit ciurlioniui150.lt.
We continue to celebrate the 150th birthday of Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis at events throughout Lithuania and abroad: concerts, a virtual reality film, exhibitions and book presentations in February.
On 16 February, the National Philharmonic will celebrate Lithuanian State Restoration Day with a concert programme " Dedication to Lithuania " („Dedikacija Lietuvai“) by Modestas Pitrėnas and Lukas Geniušas, together with the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra and Vilnius Choir. The programme will feature the voices of Monika Pleškytė, Ieva Prudnikovaitė, Tomas Pavilionis, Tadas Girininkas, "Dzūkiškas variations" („Dzūkiškas variacijas“) by the most prominent Lithuanian composer Bronius Kutavičius, as well as the works of younger generations of composers such as Zita Bružaitė, Donatas Zakaras, Antanas Kučinskas and Raminta Šerkšnytė, who were inspired by Čiurlionis.
"The presence of Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis in the Philharmonic's concerts has always been profound," says Rūta Prusevičienė, General Director of the Lithuanian National Philharmonic, which is organising the event. "I believe that Čiurlionis speaks brilliantly to all future generations. His work is so adaptable to different minds and ways of thinking that his art thrives wonderfully in 3D, virtual, and various other formats – everything fits with him! He aestheticises these modern forms and creates an extraordinary impact. Today, all of Čiurlionis’ codes speak in a way that is clearly understood."
On 20 February, the virtual reality experience "Creation of worlds" („Pasaulių sutvėrimas“) by Kristina Buožytė and Vitalijus Žukas will begin its journey across Lithuania. "These are entirely new paintings, ones that were not part of „On the paths of angels“ („Angelų takais“)," says Kristina Buožytė, introducing the new experience. "We will offer more interactivity, allowing the audience to feel freer in this world. It will be engaging, innovative, and deeply emotional."
With the help of special glasses, viewers will be transported into an imagined world of the artist, exploring it like a fairy tale while being interactively and emotionally engaged in discovering creative forces – one of the most relevant and recurring themes in M. K. Čiurlionis' works. The specific cities and dates when the virtual reality experience will arrive in each of the more than 60 towns and cities across Lithuania can be found here.
At the Vilnius Book Fair, starting on 27 February, presentations are planned for Aušra Česnulevičienė’s " Čiurlionis trails. Walks through Dzūkija" („Čiurlionių takais. Pažingsniavimai po Dzūkiją“) and Darius Kučinskas’ " Chronological catalogue of the music of Mikalojus Konstantinos Čiurlionis." („Chronologinis Mikalojaus Konstantino Čiurlionio muzikos katalogas.“)
Aušra Česnulevičienė’s book explores locations associated with Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis and his family. The publication includes visual, textual, and historical materials, along with photographs and maps, designed to guide readers along the first National Čiurlionis Cultural Route.
Darius Kučinskas presents a chronological catalogue of Čiurlionis’ music in both Lithuanian and English, detailing his compositions and manuscripts. The book also includes information on more than a hundred previously unlisted works or fragments that were not mentioned in earlier compilations of Čiurlionis' oeuvre. You can find the Vilnius Book Fair programme here.
On 16 February, the exhibition "Museum’s Golden Fund" („Muziejaus Aukso fondas“) will also open at the Druskininkai City Museum. It will feature works from the museum’s collection, which includes pieces from the "M. K. Čiurlionis Days" („M. K. Čiurlionio dienos“) open-air workshops held in Druskininkai between 1979 and 2000. These workshops brought together artists from Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, Russia, Belarus, Ireland, France, and Finland.
Moreover, the commemoration of Čiurlionis Year is beginning at Lithuanian diplomatic missions abroad. The first concert in the event series will take place on 11 February in Helsinki, Finland, featuring the Čiurlionis Quartet and Petras Geniušas. The audience will hear Čiurlionis’ String Quartet in C minor and Prelude and Fugue for Piano. This year, the works of Lithuania’s artistic genius will also be showcased in Taipei, Tokyo, Baku, Tbilisi, and other cities.
In 2025, we will celebrate the 150th anniversary of Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis, a milestone recognised by UNESCO. For more information about the "Čiurlioniui 150" programme, overseen by the Office of the Government, visit ciurlioniui150.lt.