Lithuanian National Museum, which archaeologists found on Gediminas Hill in the 20s The remains of the commanders and participants of the 1863-1864 uprising will crown almost three years of interdisciplinary research, which gave the impetus to take a new look at the history of this uprising. Opening on the eve of the rebels' funeral, the exhibition "Awaken: The Story of the Rebels Found on Mount Gediminas" tells a shocking story about these people, as well as about the uprising in general.
The exhibition will be held in a building opened to the public for the first time - from the 14th century. in the former detention center for political prisoners no. 1 (T. Kosciuškos str. 1000), where about 8 of its participants were imprisoned during the uprising, including 21 of the XNUMX Lukiškiai square rebels who were shot or hanged and buried on Gediminas Hill.
Director of the Lithuanian National Museum, dr. Rūta Kačkutė states that this exhibition aims to properly honor the rebels, while giving meaning to their valuable choice - the fight for freedom: "Visitors will get to know those men and young people who have become symbols of the rebellion today. Through these personalities, the historical context of the uprising, the goals and expectations of the participants of the uprising will be revealed. It is equally important to reveal the personal stories of these rebels, to provide an opportunity to understand their experiences and to get closer to them. The narrative of the exhibition will be developed using not only conventional but also interactive means, the impression will be enhanced by an authentic space."
A large part of the exhibits of the exhibition, which will be held in an extraordinary environment, consists of archaeological research material, documents illustrating the uprising, photographs and personal belongings of the participants of the uprising, including the wedding ring of Zigmantas Sierakauskas and a unique face print of one of the rebels.
"The plaster cast of Eduard Čaplinski's facial impression evokes a lot of emotions. It was made by museum restorer Jonas Petuchovas from the layer of lime covering the face of this rebel, which was poured while hiding his remains in a pit on Mount Gediminas. It's unbelievable, but at the moment this is the only, albeit incomplete, image of this rebel - his photos or portraits have not survived, or they didn't even exist," says the curator of the exhibition, deputy director of the museum. custodian of funds dr. Marched Being.
The organizers of the exhibition promise visitors one more discovery, which brings back from oblivion the story of attempts to revive the real 1863-1864 during the Soviet era. the memory of the uprising and to nurture the once again crushed desire for freedom.
"In 1964 in autumn, young artists Arūnas Tarabilda, Vladas Vildžiūnas, Vincas Kisarauskas, Aloyzas Stasiulevičius and others organized an exhibition dedicated to the centenary of the uprising without permission from the authorities. Unfortunately, after a few days, all works were suspended by order of the authorities. Several of the more than sixty works exhibited in this exhibition will invite visitors to think: what does freedom mean to us today?" - says Ž. Being.
The head of the museum, R. Kačkutė, reminds that visitors to the exhibition will be offered other activities: "Along with the exhibition, there will be thematic excursions that will take you to the times of the military fortress that operated in the territory of the Vilnius Castle and the Mountain Park, special education will be conducted for the students. We are happy to be able to offer a free visit during the first days of the exhibition. It is true that there is not much space in the detention center, so you may have to wait a while."
The exhibition, which provides information in four languages (Lithuanian, English, Polish and Belarusian), opens for visitors on November 21. and will operate until 2020. May 31
Visiting the exhibition on November 21-22 is free.
The exhibition was organized by a large group of scientists, designers, artists, restorers, museum workers. Curator of the exhibition - dr. Žygintas Būčys, architect - Rokas Kilčiauskas. The exhibition's information partners are LRT and Media Traffic.
