<\/p>\n
The exhibition title comes from a phrase describing ballet in the glossary of \u201cForeign and Unfamiliar Words\u201d compiled by Jurgis \u0160lapelis and published in 1907. Over more than a century, this art form has become familiar and well-understood in Lithuania.<\/strong><\/p>\n Although the continuous history of Lithuanian ballet began on December 4, 1925, with the premiere of L\u00e9o Delibes\u2019 Copp\u00e9lia<\/em> at the State Theatre in Kaunas, ballet was known in Lithuania long before that. The exhibition is therefore a journey through the history of ballet in Lithuania, starting with 17th-century opera productions in the Lower Castle of Vilnius, continuing through 18th-century manor and school theatre, and 19th-century performances on the stage of the Vilnius City Theatre. Documents, artworks, and reproductions exhibited in the introductory hall present the forms of dance from this early period.<\/p>\n A significant part of the exhibition is dedicated to the first professional ballet performance in Lithuania \u2014 Copp\u00e9lia<\/em>, staged by choreographer Pavel Petrov \u2014 and to later productions created by Nikolai Zverev, Vytautas Brazdylis, and Kirill Simonov, revealing the evolution and transformation of the ballet\u2019s artistic interpretations.<\/p>\n The hundred-year history of Lithuanian ballet is presented primarily through works created in Lithuania \u2014 some performed briefly, others cherished for decades \u2014 at the State Theatre in Kaunas and, after the ballet troupe relocated, at the Lithuanian State Academic (now National) Opera and Ballet Theatre. The latter operated in its original building on J. Basanavi\u010dius Street and, since 1974, in its present venue on A. Vienuolis Street. Ballet productions and creators from the Kaunas and Klaip\u0117da State Musical Theatres are also featured.<\/p>\n The artistic lives of ballet soloists and dancers are remembered through their costumes worn in performances and concerts, posters from international tours, and artworks depicting them \u2014 rarely shown in exhibition halls \u2014 including a large portrait of Genovait\u0117 Sabaliauskait\u0117 by Irena Tre\u010diokait\u0117-\u017debenkien\u0117, witty caricatures by Romualdas D\u017eiugas, and graphic works by Vida Insodien\u0117.<\/p>\n Among the most frequently staged Lithuanian ballets is Eduardas Balsys\u2019 The Queen of Serpents (Egl\u0117 \u017eal\u010di\u0173 karalien\u0117)<\/em>. A dedicated gallery presents photographs, posters, scenography and costume sketches, as well as video recordings of productions created by Vytautas Grivickas, Egidijus Domeika, and Martynas Rimeikis.<\/p>\n Lithuanian ballet history cannot be imagined without its tradition of dance education, which is older than the ballet itself. It began in 1921, when Olga Dubeneckien\u0117 established her ballet studio in Kaunas. Since 1952, ballet training has been centered at the National M. K. \u010ciurlionis School of Art, though in recent decades numerous private schools and academies in Lithuania\u2019s major cities have also contributed to this development. A dedicated exhibition space presents the landscape of ballet education in Lithuania, including non-state ballet theatres engaged in pedagogical work.<\/p>\n For the exhibition, photographer Martynas Aleksa created a special work offering insight into the behind-the-scenes rehearsals of the new Copp\u00e9lia<\/em> production marking the ballet centenary. The premiere of choreographer Martynas Rimeikis\u2019 work on December 4, 2025, will open the way for Lithuanian ballet\u2019s second century.<\/p>\n Most of the exhibition\u2019s items come from the collections of the Lithuanian Theatre, Music and Cinema Museum. However, documents, artworks, audiovisual recordings, stage costumes, and accessories from other Lithuanian memory institutions and private collections are also exhibited.<\/p>\n <\/p>","protected":false},"featured_media":224492,"template":"","categories":[10],"tags":[],"ticket-vendor":[21,42],"class_list":["post-224491","event","type-event","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-parodos","ticket-vendor-bilietai-lt","ticket-vendor-muziejaus-kasoje"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t