Lithuanian artists affirm identity, Western links with major cultural festival in France
With the shadow of the war in Ukraine to its east, the Baltic nation is seeking to reaffirm its ties with the West. The Season of Lithuania in France, running from September to December, will be an opportunity for Lithuania to anchor itself in the West with over 200 events programmed across France highlighting a vibrant culture based on liberal values that emerged after decades of Soviet domination.
In the centre of Lithuania’s capital Vilnius, a statue of the celebrated French writer Romain Gary (1914-1980) stands on a pedestal. The author of “Promise at Dawn”, who was born on that street, is depicted as a little boy clasping his hands to his heart and looking up at the sky.
Across the street stands a stunning white structure combining elements Renaissance and Baroque styles. The institution was formerly called the “Russian Drama Theatre of Lithuania”. But in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, it was renamed “Old Theatre of Vilnius” in September 2022 after Lithuanian Culture Minister Simonas Kairys issued a decree for the name to reflect “modern Lithuanian statehood”.
In Vilnius, the Kazys Varnelis House–Museum is a 200-square-metre space used to display works by Varnelis.
The museum director remembered that even when Lithuania had a better relationship with Russia, “We were not allowed to go and have a look, even as scientists.”
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