Old Yard Matters

On CULTURE NIGHT, we invite you to a vibrant gathering place—the courtyard on Stiklių Street—where traditional crafts meet contemporary culture, and history blends with music and unexpected discoveries.

• 6:00 PM – 11:00 p.m. Portrait photography using an old-fashioned instant camera.

The subject is photographed with an antique camera, directly onto photographic paper, which is developed immediately, resulting in a one-of-a-kind photograph; it is impossible to make copies—the principle is similar to that of the well-known “Polaroid.” This is a positive-process photography method. Early photographers in Vilnius operated as city artisans—their studios served as both workshops and creative laboratories, where technical skill and manual labor merged with a sense of aesthetics. This time, photography expert and practitioner Gintas Kavoliūnas will demonstrate in the courtyard at 4 Stiklių St. how to take photos with vintage bell-shaped cameras—you’ll just need to sit still for 2 to 30 seconds. This method of photography brings us even closer to the world of old photography and the recreation of the old way of taking pictures. Will you be able to sit still for the required amount of time?

• 6:00–6:40 p.m. Performance by the community of sutartinės lovers “Požeminės upės.”

Sutartinės are among the oldest recorded Lithuanian folk songs, preserved by UNESCO as part of Lithuania’s intangible cultural heritage. These polyphonic, ritual songs were sung centuries ago by people who worked the land, lived in harmony with the rhythm of the Sun, celebrated the equinoxes, and sustained themselves from nature while performing hard labor. “Sutartinės are the foundation of our community, a sacred practice of our ancestors. Through them, we share both joy and sorrow,” says community leader Laurita Peleniūtė. This is a wonderful introduction to one of the genres of Lithuanian folklore. Come and listen.

• 6:40–7:30 p.m. Guided tour: “4 Stiklių Street: The Story of a Single Building.”

Join us for a tour of one of the oldest buildings in Vilnius. The most curious visitors will discover a courtyard that has long been closed off, the story of a chronicler’s sculpture that mysteriously appeared there, a room with impressive arches, and the building’s dark basements, which are being opened to the public for the first time. Discover the building of the Vilnius Old Town Renewal Agency (guided by Dr. Juozapas Blažiūnas). Registration required: [email protected]

• 7:30–9:00 p.m. An Introduction to Historical Trades – “Who Is a Barber?”

In 18th-century Vilnius, barbers held an important place in the city’s trade structure. They combined the roles of hairdresser, barber, and provider of minor medical procedures. The barber’s craft in Vilnius was more than just a hygiene service, but what do we know about it today? We invite you to the courtyard at 4 Stiklių St. to experience the mastery of barbers firsthand. Renowned barbers from across the country will be waiting to trim your beard for free, and certified instructor and barber Paulius Sokolovas will share stories about the history of the craft, the master’s tools, trends, and styling techniques.

• 9:00–9:30 p.m. Performance by the “Požeminės upės” community of sutartinės enthusiasts.

Sutartinės are among the oldest recorded Lithuanian folk songs and are recognized by UNESCO as part of Lithuania’s intangible cultural heritage. These polyphonic, ritual songs were sung centuries ago by people who worked the land, lived in harmony with the sun’s rhythm, celebrated the equinoxes, and sustained themselves from nature while performing hard labor. “Sutartinės are the foundation of our community, a sacred practice of our ancestors. Through them, we share in joy and hardship,” says community leader Laurita Peleniūtė. This is a wonderful introduction to one of the genres of Lithuanian folklore. Come and listen.

• 9:00 PM – 11:00 PM Jurga Jackevičiūtė-Meškienė’s assemblage exhibition “Constructions of Time.”

Different generations of society continually re-evaluate their relationship with the past. Outdated details of everyday life, which have become unrepresentative at a certain point in time, evoke both memory and emotion. The exhibition brings together different layers of time into a single visual structure, where the fragile traces of everyday life take on new value. The assemblages aim to create a dialogue between what has been forgotten and what can still be recognized today. The artist’s work, inspired by an interest in the history and heritage of Lithuania’s national minorities, combines personal experience with broader cultural memory.

Come, even if you don’t know what to expect.

More information:
[email protected] or +370 663 53322