NASA Astronaut Honours Lithuanian Artist Čiurlionis from Space
On 22 September, the 150th anniversary of Lithuanian composer and painter Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis was marked in an extraordinary way: his music was played from the International Space Station (ISS).
From 400 kilometres above Earth, NASA astronaut Jonny Kim broadcast Čiurlionis’s symphonic poem The Sea as the planet’s horizon appeared through the station’s cupola. It was the first time in history that the work of a Lithuanian composer was heard in space.
A genius ahead of his time
Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis (1875–1911) was a composer, painter, and visionary who developed a unique artistic language blending music, painting, literature, and philosophy. He created at a time when space travel was only a futurist dream, yet his cycles of paintings – such as Zodiac – and his music reflected a cosmic vision of the world.
“Some of Čiurlionis’ works resemble images we now see through the Hubble or James Webb space telescopes. To honour his anniversary, we played an excerpt of The Sea while looking back at Earth from orbit,” said NASA astronaut Jonny Kim from the ISS.
The choice of The Sea was highly symbolic, representing both the power of nature and transcendence. The recording played in space came from a March 15, 2025 performance by the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra at the Lithuanian National Philharmonic, conducted by Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla and recorded by Aleksandra and Vilius Kerai (Baltic Mobile Recordings). It was the first original version of The Sea as written by Čiurlionis, without later alterations.
“Čiurlionis’ The Sea speaks of the creation of the world, the birth of the cosmos. Conducting this piece with the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra, and hearing it now resonate in space, brought an overwhelming sense of unity – that we are all part of one whole,” said conductor Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla.
A pioneer of art and science fusion
Čiurlionis’ genius lay in his ability to see sound and hear images – his paintings resonated like music, while his scores unfolded as symphonies of colour. This interdisciplinary vision feels strikingly contemporary today.
NASA researchers now employ sonification, transforming cosmic data into sound. Čiurlionis sensed this connection between sight and hearing more than a century ago. “If humanity were to send one work of art into the universe, it could well be Čiurlionis’ music or painting,”composer and Cultural Adviser to the Prime Minister of Lithuania, Matas Drukteinis observed.
A celebration of creativity
Čiurlionis’s 150th anniversary has been declared by UNESCO a commemorative year. For the first time, 22 September was celebrated as Culture Day in Lithuania. Over 200 events worldwide invite people to rediscover his legacy through concerts, exhibitions, lessons and creative initiatives.
Thanks to cooperation with the Ministry of the Economy and Innovation and the European Space Agency, Čiurlionis’s music has now reached space – becoming Lithuania’s calling card to the world.
More information: ciurlioniui150.lt