Published: 20250516
Gilded royal garments, dramatic marriage alliances, and lavish interiors – these are just a few hallmarks of the striking Baroque era. This year, the Lithuanian Museums Route program is dedicated to the Baroque, and this Saturday, the Palace of the Grand Dukes invites everyone to celebrate Baroque Night.
On May 17, during European Museum Night, researchers, historians, and educators will invite visitors to explore the traces of Baroque at the Palace. From 6:00 PM until midnight, music will fill the halls, you’ll be able to dance at the Silent Disco, or simply sit back and enjoy captivating stories about the Baroque era.
The museum’s permanent exhibitions will introduce visitors to perhaps the most famous poet of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania – Motiejus Kazimieras Sarbievijus. On display will be the works that earned him recognition across Europe: a 1632 Antwerp edition of Lyricorum libri IV (Four Books of Lyrics), featuring a title page engraved by Cornelis Galle based on a drawing by Peter Paul Rubens, as well as a 1759 Paris edition of the poetry collection Carmina (Songs).
From 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM, for the first time in the museum’s history, visitors can experience Baroque “Shorts” – a series of nine brief talks and stories prepared by the museum team, accompanied by Baroque music. This unique format offers a glimpse into court life, daily routines, innovations of the time, and the impact of the Deluge on Baroque heritage.
Paulina Blažytė, the museum’s Cultural Events Coordinator, shares:"We’re really excited to introduce the short-format talks this year – I think it’s a particularly effective and engaging format for Museum Night, when visitors want to see and hear as much as possible in a short time."
European Museum Night at the Palace will wrap up with the return of the wildly popular Silent Disco – this year, guests are once again invited to put on headphones and move to their own beat. With the Eurovision Song Contest final taking place that same evening, you can expect a playlist featuring Eurovision favorites, as well as modern Baroque remixes and interpretations.
"This year’s Silent Disco motto is ‘From Baroque to Punk Rock’, so naturally, we won’t forget rock and punk rock icons like Guns N’ Roses, AC/DC, Bon Jovi, blink-182, and many more," adds P. Blažytė. Tickets are available at paysera.lt.
During Museum Night, visitors can enjoy free access to the museum’s permanent exhibitions, the special exhibition Pidhirtsi Palace: History and Art Collections – showcasing a European gem of Ukrainian heritage – and Revelations: From the Art Collection of the Bank of Lithuania, on view only until this Sunday.
The Palace of the Grand Dukes invites everyone to join this journey into the Baroque era free of charge on May 17 from 6:00 PM. The last visitors will be admitted at 11:00 PM, and the museum will close its doors at midnight.
One more treat for the night – to mark the occasion, all souvenirs at the museum’s ticket office will be 10% off! The discount will be valid from May 17 at 6:00 PM until May 18 at 4:00 PM.
Have an inspiring Museum Night!
