Published: 20240822
Since its establishment, the National Museum – Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania has focused on the diversity, quality, and accessibility of its cultural offerings. Each year, the museum organises over 120 cultural events, including the openings of national and international exhibitions, scientific conferences, seminars, cultural evenings, concerts, meetings, book presentations, public lectures, festivals, and more.
A significant part of the cultural heritage of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania is its musical culture and European context, which are closely tied to the history of the Grand Dukes’ residence. Music was an essential element of the cultural life of European royal courts, fulfilling roles related to diplomacy, representation, and the dissemination of information. The rulers of Lithuania invited renowned composers to Vilnius and commissioned musical works from supported artists. The size, composition, professionalism, and variety of instruments in the court musicians’ ensemble, as well as the adoption of musical innovations, underscored the state's alignment with Western civilisation.
The music that once resounded in the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, along with the development of musical culture and its European context, is presented annually at early music festivals, including the International Marco Scacchi Early Music Festival (a member of the European Early Music Network, REMA, since 2019) and the St Cecilia Early Music Festival, an educational event for children and young people.
The museum also initiates special events commemorating anniversaries and key dates in the history of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, cultural history, and significant figures. Thematic educational activities and event programmes are organised, inviting visitors to spend the whole day at the museum (e.g., Vilnius Day, Early Music Day, Historical Dance Day, European Night of Museums, European Archaeology Days, Sounding Palace of the Grand Dukes, Culture Night, the Statehood Day events programme, Historical Opera Day, and many more). Each year, residents of Vilnius and visitors to the capital are invited to close the year with the concert series "Christmas at the Palace of the Grand Dukes".
Events organised by the museum community, often in collaboration with partners, aim to highlight the development of the Palace of the Grand Dukes within the Lower Castle of Vilnius and, importantly, to promote the rich history and cultural heritage of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. These events also aim to showcase the values of European and global culture, art, history, and archaeology.
These events present historical residences, architectural, cultural, and artistic monuments, museums, galleries, and historic parks. Visitors are encouraged to explore other significant cultural and tourist sites and their connections to the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Through these events, the museum seeks to nurture national cultural identity and civic engagement, linking the preservation of cultural heritage and scientific research with the cultural needs of contemporary society.
To comprehensively present historical and cultural heritage, the museum organises various events, participates annually in the Vilnius Book Fair, and develops a range of virtual cultural products. This allows the public to engage remotely with the museum's cultural activities: different types of cultural events (e.g., exhibition openings, concerts, discussions, book presentations) and academic events (e.g., conferences, seminars, lectures) are recorded and broadcast, highlighting specific themes or aspects. Information about these virtual products is available on the museum's website, with broadcasts and recordings also accessible via the museum's YouTube channel.
The museum also hosts third-party events that are non-commercial, non-private, and non-entertainment-focused, with a clear cultural and/or civic and social aspect. These include professional cultural art events (concerts, festivals, performances, opera productions, etc.), official state representation and protocol events, and events that raise awareness of Lithuanian history and culture and enhance the country's global competitiveness. Such events may also be organised by foreign diplomatic missions in Lithuania or by Lithuanian or foreign legal entities.
The museum is pleased with its long-standing collaboration with regular partners who organise traditional events such as "LNOBT Open", "Cinema under the Stars", "Midsummer Vilnius", "Banchetto Musicale", the M. K. Čiurlionis Music Festival, and others.
Rental conditions and rules are presented in this section of the museum's website.
