19Th century cultural stories

The lecture series accompanying the exhibition "In Shadow and Light. The Image of Kaunas" invites you to look at 19th-century Kaunas from different perspectives – through photography, gastronomy, and theater. This is an opportunity not only to better understand the period presented in the exhibition but also to experience the city as a living, constantly changing phenomenon shaped by images, tastes, and cultural experiences. Three meetings – three different ways to get to know 19th-century Kaunas: April 9, 18:00 Dr. Dainius Junevičius' lecture "Early Photographic Landscapes of Kaunas" Kaunas-based photography historian Dr. Dainius Junevičius will present the oldest photographic images of Kaunas in his lecture, captured in 1861 by the lenses of Antal Rohrbach and around 1868 by Karl Dawinghoff. He will also reveal when and under what circumstances they were taken, and discuss what important changes in Kaunas life, which occurred since the creation of Zaleskis' painting, these photographs testify to. These are not just images – they are testimonies about a city that had already changed just a few decades after the creation of M. Zaleskis' painting. May 28, 18:00 Prof. Dr. Rimvydas Laužikas' lecture "Gastronomic Culture of Romanticism: A Time of Change" In the history of gastronomy and gastronomic culture, we observe similar processes as in the entire history of culture, architecture, art, or literature. There is no less creativity, influence of cultural epochs and fashions, professionalism and amateurism, high, ethnographic, or popular culture in gastronomy. Many phenomena of modern gastronomy were formed in the 19th century: the search for culinary inspiration in nature and simple kitchens, economical use of food products, health diets, vegetarianism, the use of hunting trophies in the kitchen, and modern table setting. The understanding of national cuisines also emerged at that time. During the lecture, we will talk about Lithuania in the Romantic era and the changes in our region's gastronomic culture inspired by Romanticism. November 5, 18:00 Prof. Dr. Helmutas Šabasevičius' lecture "Between Reality and Illusion: 19th Century Lithuanian Theater Culture" Tableaux vivants are a mixed form of art and theater in which literary, allegorical, or everyday plots are embodied by static human compositions, and works of art – paintings or sculptures – are recreated. In Lithuania, tableaux vivants were popular in the 19th and early 20th centuries; they were shown during private balls and celebrations, theater performances, and often as part of charity events. The lecture presents the artists who created the tableaux vivants, their most resonant programs, the themes of the paintings, and their changes throughout the 19th century. Events are free, no registration required ┌─── 🚶‍♂️ Experience more 🚶‍♂️ ───┐ The lecture series is complemented by an interactive route through 19th-century Kaunas – a journey from the Town Hall Square to Ąžuolynas, allowing you not only to hear the city but also to experience it. You can find the route in the KMM app on Google Play or the App Store.