Each grant holder, located in South and Central-Eastern Europe, will explore and reflect on one or more of the conference’s key panel topics, examining issues of polarisation from the perspective of their unique backgrounds and regional insights.
The article below is written by guest author Živilė Miežytė, Curator of education and public programmes at Vilnius City Museum (Lithuania). The words and opinions expressed are solely those of the author.
Can we talk… about museums in Lithuania
As someone who once held very common, but outdated views of museums as static and boring, I've been very inspired by the turn Lithuanian museums have taken in recent years. By responding to contemporary issues, actively engaging with their communities, and sometimes surprising visitors with what they choose to talk about, they are slowly changing the definition of the Lithuanian word “muziejus”. In the following overview, I’d like to share how.
Responding to Current Challenges
Since the war started in 2022, Lithuanian museums have taken an active role in supporting Ukraine. This has manifested in several ways: collaboration with Ukrainian cultural institutions to protect collections, and organizing workshops, and city tours for refugees. The National Museum of Lithuania has recently opened the international exhibition "Kyivan Rus’.Origins" which showcases Ukrainian collections and history. Support for Ukraine is not a controversial topic in Lithuania, and it is not very surprising that the museums have taken a clear stance.
However, some museums in Lithuania haven't shied away from more controversial topics. While LGBTQ+ rights remain a contentious issue in Lithuania that is often politicized (with same-sex partnership legislation yet to pass and the "minors protection from harmful information” law restricting access to certain information still in place), both private and national museums have shown support and interest. The National Museum of Lithuania recently has started collecting objects representing the LGBTQ+ community.
The Vilnius City Museum's exhibition "Inconvenient Vilnius" delves into the city's marginalized and often forgotten stories, including the experiences of the LGBTQ+ community. While the inclusion of these stories and their placement at the beginning of the exhibition has been the subject of some visitor criticism, the museum views this as a positive sign of reaching a diverse audience and challenging prevailing narratives.