A convoy of carriages in East PrussiaNational Museum of Lithuania
What effect did the war have?
Lithuania once again felt the painful decline in its population, but now it was due to compulsory migration, genocide, and repression.
"Lunch"National Museum of Lithuania
“Supper”
They spent the night in settlements along the way and ate any food they carried or had found on their journey.
Crossing the river NemunasNational Museum of Lithuania
Crossing the river Nemunas
The journey of the Kazys Almenas and Radvila families was very similar, like hundreds of other people fleeing the approaching Soviets.
Doll belonging to Enata Skrupskelyte
Among essential items, people also found space for symbols of their homeland: amber crafts, national costumes, traditional kanklės zithers, and Lithuanian soil. Children took their favourite toys.
Valdas Šimkūnas at the cemetery of the prisoners of the Abyssinian prison campNational Museum of Lithuania
Valdas Simkunas in the Abez prisoner cemetery
Over 50,000 people from Lithuania were laid to rest in the vastness of the USSR between 1941 and 1958. Komi, Russia, 1956
Residents of a displaced persons camp with a BAFL parcel they receivedNational Museum of Lithuania
What awaited refugees abroad?
Despite daily concerns and shortages, Lithuanians demonstrated their strong spirit and resistance to hardship, and went on to establish their own organizations in the DP camps to support education and culture.
Tap to explore
Take a look at displaced persons camp room in 360
Exhibition architecture.
Kitchen at Kempten campNational Museum of Lithuania
A kitchen in the Kempten camp
269 DP camps were established in post-war Germany. Lithuanians found refuge in 113 of them.
Lithuanians at the Aschenfenburg campNational Museum of Lithuania
Lithuanians at the Aschaffenburg camp
DP camps had 71 kindergartens, 112 primary schools, 14 progymnasiums, 20 gymnasiums (secondary schools), 1 special school, and even the Baltic University established in 1946.
Wooden suitcase of Augustinas KubiliusNational Museum of Lithuania
To travel or to return?
While living in the DP camps, refugees were constantly thinking about when a Third World War might start and when Lithuania might be liberated, so that they could return home.
Guarantee document issued by Jonas Uzdavinys
Displaced persons wishing to leave the camps for the United States had to obtain a document certifying that someone would care for them upon arrival, providing accommodation, financing, and employment.
Swimsuit belonging to Rusne Silingaite-Kubiliene
Ship journeys to new homes sometimes took several weeks. Passengers passed the time by meeting new people, making friends, even publishing onboard newspapers, writing books, or making handcrafted items for a “new” life – like this swimsuit. Atlantic and Indian Oceans, 1950
1st of May demonstrationNational Museum of Lithuania
What awaited those who returned to Soviet Lithuania?
For those who lived there, occupied Lithuania became a prison, which many longed to escape.
Tap to explore
Explore the yard of the Soviet apartment blocks in 360
Exhibition architecture.
A tray from BrazilNational Museum of Lithuania
A tray brought back from Brazil
A committee “For Returning to the Homeland” was established in Vilnius in 1957, and was tasked with overseeing propaganda activity calling for the return of people who had left Lithuania during the interwar period.
Juozas Luksa’s pocket calendar
Partisan Juozas Luksa secretly crossed the Soviet-guarded border twice to establish contact with Lithuanians in the diaspora and spread the word about the resistance struggle in Lithuania to the West.
M. Gartner with the Radio Flyer toy wagonNational Museum of Lithuania
What awaited those who fled to the West after the war?
The clearly defined boundary between East and West and the onset of the Cold War led to a deepening divide between those who had left Lithuania and those who remained behind.
Gintaras Buivys father Justinas travel bagNational Museum of Lithuania
Travel bag belonging to Gintaras Buivys’ father Justinas
The abundance of colourful signs in major cities in the United States, Canada, Australia, and the UK contrasted with the hard daily lives of new immigrants.
USA flag belonging to J. LegeckaiteNational Museum of Lithuania
US flag belonging to J. Legeckaite
Reaching the United States was the dream of many immigrants, where they hoped to find a safe heaven from communist repression.
President Ronald Reagan at a Lithuanian event in ChicagoNational Museum of Lithuania
Where did the diaspora live in the West?
According to the diaspora themselves, they formed clubs in Lithuanian bars, organised a broad campaign for the liberation of Lithuania, constantly stood guard over the issue of non-recognition of the occupation of Lithuania, and worked long and purposefully to restore Lithuania's independence.
Tap to explore
Take a look at the emigrants' bar in 360 view
Exhibition architecture.
Suitcase of Stasys Lazolaitis Jr.National Museum of Lithuania
Luggage belonging to Stasys Lozoraitis, Jr.
Between 1940 and 1990, the Lithuanian Diplomatic Service in exile worked to ensure that Lithuania’s incorporation into the USSR would never be recognized.
Gymnasium of February 16th in HüttenfeldNational Museum of Lithuania
The Vasario 16-oji Gymnasium in Hüttenfeld
Established by refugees in West Germany in 1950 and housed since 1952 in the former Schloss Rennhoff, the Vasario 16-oji (February 16th) Gymnasium is the only Lithuanian secondary school outside of Lithuania. During the Soviet occupation, it taught children from around the world about their roots, language, and culture.
Australian Scouts' boomerang presented to A. DamušisNational Museum of Lithuania
Australian Scout boomerang presented to A. Damusis
Promoting interest among young people in their Lithuanian heritage called for recreation and activities.
Dance festival in emigrationNational Museum of Lithuania
The diaspora Lithuanian Folk Dance Festival
Unable to maintain contact with their relatives behind the Iron Curtain and fearful of losing their cultural heritage, émigrés organized Lithuanian language schools, folk dance groups and choirs. The Folk Dance Festival tradition, begun in 1957, still thrives today.
Marija Gimbutas
By applying her knowledge of folklore and the linguistic, ethnological, and artistic education she obtained at different universities in Lithuania and abroad, she was able to insightfully synthesize information and explain the findings of archaeological excavations. This laid the foundation for a new branch of science: archaeomythology.
Pendant belonging to Marija Gimbutas
Marija Gimbutas’ hypothesis about a thriving Neolithic European civilization with a religious worldview centered around the depiction of the Mother Goddess found its place not only within her own academic work. She herself wore a piece of jewellery in the shape of the Venus of Willendorf.
Algirdas Avizienis
How is it possible for technology to operate in space for almost 50 years without breaking down? It is possible with the STAR (Self Testing And Repairing) computer, which was developed by computer architect Prof. Algirdas Antanas Avizienis.
STAR computer laboratory modelNational Museum of Lithuania
Laboratory model of STAR computer
The unmanned Voyager spacecraft, launched in 1977, are still sending information back to Earth because they are equipped with STAR computers. It is NASA's longest and most distant mission. USA, 1969.
Birute Marija GaldikasNational Museum of Lithuania
Birute Marija Galdikas
She set up an orangutan observation centre in the jungle and waited patiently for the animals to stop avoiding her. Her observations of orangutans have spanned more than 50 years, making it the longest observation-study of any mammal by one person.
Cover showing Birute Galdikas with orangutans ”National Geographic“
The October 1975 issue of the National Geographical Journal was dedicated to the work of Birute Marija Galdikas. This moment, captured by the photographer, became the logo of an organisation that cares for orangutans.
Alain Stanké
He has interviewed US President Richard Nixon, Cuban leader Fidel Castro and Libyan leader Muammar al-Gaddafi, written articles for Le Figaro and The New York Times, and authored over 30 books.
Queen Elizabeth II Medal Award Letter
Alain Stanké has worked for various newspapers, and his articles have been published by the world press. He has written about 40 books and interviewed celebrities in the fields of art, politics and literature. Canada, 10s of the 20th century.
Karolina Meschino
Currently, the most influential Instagram platform in Lithuania is approaching half a million followers, and if you type her name into a Google search, the internet throws up more than 200 000 hits.
Karolina Meschino grandfather in his shopNational Museum of Lithuania
Karolina Meschino's grandfather in his shop
Meschino's grandfather was the first member of the family to leave Italy and settle in Australia. After 13 years, the family moved back to their home country. However, son Antonio did not stay long.
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