Published: 20250721
#pažinkmus – Greta Stankevičiūtė, exhibition consultant at the Palace of the Grand Dukes Museum. A future cultural historian and anthropologist from Dusetos, Greta knows the halls of the Museum very well – visitors have been able to meet her at the Museum for over a year now. In this interview: the behind-the-scenes of exhibition consultants and the most unusual questions from visitors.
Greta, you work as an exhibition consultant at the Museum and study cultural history and anthropology at Vilnius University. Do you get to apply the knowledge gained during your studies in your job?
Perhaps not always directly, but yes. First of all, the knowledge acquired during my studies helps me better understand the environment I work in and the exhibits, which in turn helps me explain them to visitors. I’m more inclined toward the field of cultural tourism in my studies, and working as an exhibition consultant at the Museum places me fairly close to that: consultants communicate daily with both local and foreign tourists, answer various questions, and assist when problems arise.
The team of exhibition consultants at the Palace of the Grand Dukes is the largest and most diverse group of staff. There are students, former lecturers, athletes, art historians... How do you all get along?
Quite well, actually. When I first started, I was afraid it might feel awkward because of the age differences among the staff, but we’ve all found common ground more or less. Of course, sometimes when there are many differing opinions, disagreements happen, but we’re all adults who respect each other, so even heated lunch table discussions end with the last sip of coffee – we wish each other a good day and return to our duties, and during the next break, you’ll see us chatting about something entirely different. Everyone has their own story, knowledge, and experience. It's interesting to hear and get to know one another.
What do visitors at the Museum usually ask about?
Visitor questions vary widely: about the Museum itself, the lives of the rulers, modern-day Lithuania – the Museum is large and full of information. Sometimes visitors underestimate how much time they’ll need here, so one of the most common questions is quite simple – can they leave to have lunch and come back? Another popular topic – stove tiles. Foreigners often don’t understand what they were used for; Lithuanians are curious about how they worked, but everyone admires them. On the route of reconstructed historical interiors, visitors often ask whether the exhibits are authentic because they look so beautiful. There are also personal questions – isn’t the job boring, can we take a photo together? Last summer, a foreign visitor even asked if he could marry me.
What did you say?
I said no, because I have a boyfriend. Then he walked around the exhibit and came back after about twenty minutes to ask if I was really sure I didn’t want to give him my phone number. I politely said no again, because that’s just not how I behave. Finally, he asked if I had a sister – when the answer was again no, he wished me a nice day and left…
You’re from Dusetos, a well-known town in Eastern Lithuania, famous for its art and cultural events. What would you highlight in your hometown – which places are the most interesting to you?
The town is small – you can see almost everything in a few hours. I recommend visiting the Dusetos Cultural Center-Art Gallery, which hosts art exhibitions, in any season. If you're interested in nature, there’s the Sartai Regional Park Visitors Center located right in the town center. And if February brings enough cold, I encourage everyone to attend the Sartai horse races at least once in their life – it’s probably the best way to experience Dusetos through its community and traditions. When visiting the area, I’d also suggest exploring other nearby towns and villages, like Antazavė. A bit further from Dusetos, but one of my favorite places, is the Sartai Lake observation tower, which offers stunning views – no matter the time of year.
What does your free time look like? Or maybe the real question is – do you even have free time while juggling studies and work?
Honestly, there’s not much free time left. I often joke that I’m very boring – I like going to bed early (even my older colleagues tease me about it!). I enjoy going for walks, picking up a book that isn’t related to my studies. I love painting – it’s calming, helps me concentrate, and the result is often beautiful. Living in Vilnius, I miss home a lot, so whenever I have a few free days, I go visit my parents. And just like that, free time flies by…
Thank you for the conversation!
