Published: 20260628
During the summer, specialists from the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania Museum are devoting their efforts not only to the exhibitions and events enjoyed by visitors in Vilnius, but also to intensive work in museums abroad. In Poland and Ukraine, museum professionals have been preparing for upcoming international exhibitions that will be presented at the Palace Museum in the coming years, while also exchanging expertise and best practices with their colleagues.
In June, representatives of the Museum visited Warsaw, where they toured an exhibition at the Royal Castle dedicated to the phenomenon of Baroque opera. The exhibition, which explores the origins of opera in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, provided valuable insights for the Museum’s future projects related to the musical heritage of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The exhibition featured unique manuscripts, stage design sketches, musical instruments, costumes, and other treasures illustrating the cultural life of 17th–18th century royal courts and the development of opera.
The Museum’s specialist’s next visit took place during the last week of June in Ukraine. Director General Dr Vydas Dolinskas, Deputy Director General Dr Ramunė Šmigelskytė-Stukienė, Acting Head of the Exhibitions and Publishing Department Dr Živilė Mikailienė, Chief Coordinator Andrius Kerulis, Head of Facilities Management Kęstutis Karla and Senior Administrator Tomas Valatkevičius visited Lviv and other sites connected with the history of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. There, the Museum team worked intensively on preparations for several major international exhibitions.
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“Major international exhibitions begin not in exhibition halls, but in museum storerooms, conservation workshops, and face-to-face discussions with our partners. Continuous cooperation with museums in Poland and Ukraine enables us to present exhibitions of the highest quality to audiences in Lithuania while strengthening our shared commitment to preserving historical memory and cultural heritage,” says Dr Vydas Dolinskas, Director General of the National Museum – Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania.
At the Andrey Sheptytsky National Museum in Lviv, the team examined objects selected for the international exhibition “Ukrainian Baroque,” which will be presented at the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania in the first half of 2027, during Lithuania’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Museum specialists assessed the condition of the exhibits, discussed conservation and restoration work and addressed the challenges of transporting, displaying, and safeguarding particularly delicate and valuable objects. The exhibition will introduce Lithuanian audiences to outstanding examples of Ukrainian Baroque heritage, including icons, sculptures, textiles, prints, and goldsmiths’ works, reflecting the distinctive artistic traditions of Ukraine and their connections with Central and Western Europe.
According to Acting Head of the Exhibitions and Publishing Department Dr Živilė Mikailienė, every international exhibition begins with a direct encounter with heritage objects. Only by thoroughly studying the exhibits, evaluating their condition and understanding their historical context can curators create a compelling narrative that reveals both the artistic beauty of the works and their cultural and historical significance.
During meetings with the management of the Borys Voznytsky Lviv National Art Gallery, preparations were discussed for the international exhibition “The Magic of Johann Georg Pinsel.” Museum specialists examined several of the most celebrated sculptures by Johann Georg Pinsel, one of the most distinctive masters of the Ukrainian Baroque and reviewed the conditions required for their display. At the Lviv Historical Museum, a long-standing partner of the Palace Museum, discussions focused on the conceptual framework of another exhibition planned to be presented in Vilnius in the coming years.
According to Dr Roman Chmelyk, Director of the Lviv Historical Museum, Ukrainian partners wish to highlight the historical ties between Lviv and Vilnius and their shared heritage within the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. He noted that the two cities are connected by multiple layers of historical links, while artefacts preserved in Ukraine can still reveal many untold stories that unite Lithuania and Ukraine.
An important highlight of the visit was the opening of the Palace Museum’s travelling panel exhibition “The Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania in Vilnius: A Historical Link between Lithuania and Ukraine” at Dubno Castle. The exhibition had previously been presented at the Lviv Historical Museum, the Transcarpathian Regional Museum in Uzhhorod, and Palanok Castle in Mukachevo. On their way to Dubno, the Museum team also visited the historic Radziwiłł residence in Olyka, as well as Lutsk and Pidhirtsi Castle.
“In preparing these international exhibitions, our goal is not only to present rarely seen masterpieces of art, but also to highlight the cultural heritage of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania within the broader European context. Such projects create meaningful dialogue between museums, countries, and societies,” says Dr Vydas Dolinskas, Director General of the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania Museum. “Today, as Ukraine continues to endure daily drone and ballistic missile attacks, the opportunity to bring these treasures abroad and present them to international audiences in Lithuania takes on special significance. We are deeply grateful to our Ukrainian partners for their trust and for the opportunity to work together in safeguarding and showcasing Ukraine’s unique cultural heritage.”
