Exhibition "Architecture of Optimism: The Kaunas Phenomenon, 1918 - 1940"

14 February - 18 March, 2018

The modern architecture in Kaunas reflects political, social, economic and cultural optimism which was a common attribute to the new capitals of Europe in the first half of the 20th c. When Kaunas became the temporary capital of Lithuania in 1919, the transformation of the city seemed like a miracle. Kaunas has changed its identity so dramatically: more than 12 000 new buildings were built in less than 20 years, making Kaunas the most elegant, modern and european capital. After WW2 and Soviet’s occupation of Lithuania the interwar Kaunas had its role as a symbol of the independence of Lithuania, innovative Western city and a true example for Lithuanian architects. An everlasting legacy of interwar Kaunas today plays an important part as identifying the city, its history within the society of Kaunas. The exhibition tells far more than just exclusively about Kaunas. It tells about the never-ending, emerging and falling hopes, creativity efforts, optimism, migration of ideas and forms, art and liberty, war and occupation.

This exhibition is dedicated to the 100th anniversary of Lithuania and modern Kaunas with its modern architecture and its spreading and ambition to be included into the UNESCO World Heritage list. Exhibition will be held during the festival „Flux. Festival Lituano delle Arte 2018“ at the headquarters of UNESCO in Paris, 2018 , also at Auditorium-Parco della Musica centre in Rome, at National library of Estonia and at the Museum of Architecture in Wrocław.

Strategic partner: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania
Partner: National Gallery of Art
Curators: Marija Drėmaitė, Giedrė Jankevičiūtė, Vaidas Petrulis
Architects and designers: Ieva Cicėnaitė, Matas Šiupšinskas, Linas Gliaudelis

The project is organized by National committee of UNESCO, financed by Ministry of Culture of Lithuania.

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