Discussions

Heritage Breakfast: Future Visions and Solutions to Cultural Heritage Preservation Problems

May 3rd, Friday, 10:00-11:00, inner yard of EHU.

What is the heritage policy and its future vision? What are the biggest issues in heritage management and preservation? What is the attitude to heritage preservation in our society and what or who shapes it? Why are there so many abandoned cultural heritage buildings in the city and how can we change that?

Heritage Breakfast discussion is an informal conversation between specialists, working in the field of cultural heritage preservation. The discussion aims to identify the problems and focus on the solutions, future visions of cultural heritage management, conservation and preservation.
The participants of the disucssion: Cultural Heritage Center, Department of Cultural Heritage, National Commission for Cultural Heritage, Ministry of Culture, Vilnius City Municipality, Lithuanian Art Museum, National Museum of Lithuania and other cultural heritage specialists.

Organizing partner:

Moderated by Erika Godlevska, Future Society Institute.

Future of Heritage Education and Cooperation between Universities and Civil Society

May 3rd, Friday, 13:30-16:00, EHU, 2nd floor, Senate Hall.

The unprecedented dynamism of the modern globalizing world and its technological achievements pose new challenges in the way of understanding of “human reality” and nature of education in the spirit of European intellectual tradition.

Based on best European practices, supported by multiple academic studies we already know that new heritage ideas can become a tool for stimulation of socio-economic and cultural development, multidimensional strengthening of local communities and intensification of international and cross-border cooperation. But how should new higher education programs look in such new circumstances? And at the same time how can they resist to an overall crisis in humanities education?

What does it mean to teach heritage at the modern European university? Is there such a thing as European heritage and European tradition? Should it be kept strictly in the disciplinary frameworks of architectural preservation, folklore studies or art history? How a liberal arts approach can contribute to the training of new professionals?

Round table is aimed at identification of international state of art approaches to design and implementation of heritage education programs, promotion of cooperation and active involvement of civil society, encouraging voluntary activities in cultural heritage.

International round table is a part of “Education of Cultural Heritage” area in International Fair of Cultural Heritage Education, Conservation and Technologies – Heritas.

Discussion is organized by a partner:

Workshops

The goal of HERITAS workshops is to introduce heritage research, restoration and conservation disciplines through practice, education and knowledge. Everyone interested in various practical aspects of restoration and conservation will have a chance to take part in several workshops, learning about different methods and technologies. Restorers, masters and other specialists are preparing a 2 day programme of workshops for both children and adults with a chance to personally try out various restoration processes with the help of professionals.

Wood craftsmanship workshop

During the workshop, joiners, carpenters, carvers and other craftsmen from all over Lithuania flock together on the ground floor of the church and reveal the distinctive nature of carpentry and joinery restoration. The craftsmen demonstrate how old doors and windows are restored, i.e. how design features and technical condition are assessed, authentic parts and their later replacements are identified, unnecessary elements are removed, surfaces are cleaned, damaged parts are repaired, wood is reinforced and other work is performed. The training on the repairs of old doors and windows, tools, materials and technologies to be used takes place. In the creative workshop, carpentry tools used for the construction of wooden houses and technological processes are introduced as well as details on structures and finish.

The carpenters who have brought back to a new life a number of homesteads teach how to assess and repair old structures of a wooden house, elements of its finish, what tools, materials, technologies are to be used. Practical consultations on the possibilities for rearrangement and reconstruction of wooden houses are provided, discussions take place on how to combine old and new technologies, deal with cold insulation, sealing, finishing and other issues of concern.

In the area of wood craftsmanship workshop, metal window and door hardware pertaining to different historical periods are exhibited as well as different door and window operating mechanisms which are usually thrown away without giving a second thought to it. Joinery used in different stages of restoration are presented. Children and adults assemble a reduced model of a traditional wooden log house. Visitors try out cutting with a two-handed saw, and if they bring an axe, knife or chisel, they are sharpened.

The wood craftsmanship workshop is organised by the Open-Air Museum of Lithuania, Centre for Wooden Architectural Heritage Conservation, Research and Training, Jautmalkės lėpis UAB, Society of Wood Craftsmen, Mokmedis UAB, studio MB Fabrilio, Sakalų svetainė IĮ.

Permanent workshop. Blessed Virgin Mary of Consolation church, 1st floor.

Log house. Wooden connections. Sharpening of tools (from the age of 12)

The attendees of this workshop are introduced to different connections used in log houses: corner, log and other connections, planing, stave making and so on. Ancient tools used for production and their modern versions: drills, saws, axes, measuring devices and others, are presented. The secrets of sharpening the tools used by the joiner and carpenter (axes, knives, chisels and others) are also revealed.

The workshop is hosted by the Centre of Wooden Architectural Heritage Conservation, Research and Training of the Open-Air Museum of Lithuania and studio MB Fabrilio.

Registration is needed. 

3rd of May (Friday) 11:30-12:30, 13:30-14:30, 18:00-19:00, Blessed Virgin Mary of Consolation church, 1st floor.

4th of May (Saturday) 11:30-12:30, 13:30-14:30, 18:00-19:00, Blessed Virgin Mary of Consolation church, 1st floor.

Old Door Detectives

It is not uncommon that the beauty and value of articles produced by ancient joiners unfold only after they are touched and a lot of work is carried out. Unless multiple layers of paint or faux leather coating are removed, one would not be able to see the perfectly connected ornamented, elaborate panels or other decorative details hidden underneath. Like real detectives, workshop participants remove the shells covering the secrets of ancient doors layer by layer with the help of professional restorers. Everyone, from a child to a senior person, is invited to register to the workshop.

The workshop is hosted by Mokmedis UAB and the Society of Wood Craftsmen.

Registration is needed. 

3rd of May (Friday) 15:30-17:30, Blessed Virgin Mary of Consolation church, 1st floor.

4th of May (Saturday) 15:30-17:30, Blessed Virgin Mary of Consolation church, 1st floor.

Workshop on furnaces, fireplaces and chimneys

In the creative workshop, the samples of historical furnace and fireplace tiles and tools are presented, participants become familiar with the technologies of building furnaces, fireplaces and chimneys, possibilities for their restoration, partial restoration and reconstruction. They are taught how to distinguish ancient furnaces pertaining to different periods that are worth preserving, lessons on laying and arrangement of furnace tiles take place. In the workshop, one can be consulted how to assess the technical condition of furnaces, fireplaces and chimneys, recognise and repair damages, select appropriate materials and products, combine technologies and systems. The workshop is hosted by Artūras Šuliokas, a craftsman of furnaces, fireplaces and chimneys, who has been building, reconstructing, rebuilding furnaces and fireplaces since 1991.

Permanent workshop. Blessed Virgin Mary of Consolation church, 1st floor.

Ancient photography workshop

Taking pictures by means of an old momentary picture taking technique, i.e. “a five-minute picture”, and printing of postcards using the silver gelatin process method.

Atvirosios fotografijos dirbtuvės VšĮ invite to discover the secrets of the old photography technique. In the workshop, pictures are made using the old “five-minute picture” technique the principles whereof are similar to those of Polaroid where a single photo is made directly on the photographic paper by an old camera and is immediately developed. In the classic photography laboratory lit by a red lamp, visitors are taught to print the postcard depicting the old town by means of the classic silver gelatin process. In the exhibition, the process of ferrotype photography and typography reconstructed on the basis of the portrait of Vabalninkas residents made in Vabalninkas, Biržai district, c. 1895, is demonstrated.

Atvirosios fotografijos dirbtuvės VšĮ study and promote old photography processes, demonstrate the craft of photography and historical heritage of photographic techniques.

Permanent workshop. Blessed Virgin Mary of Consolation church, 1st floor.

Blue postcards created by the sun – cyanotype workshop

In the improvised studio, the Photography Museum invites its visitors to try out the cyanotype photographic process and create blue postcards by means of sunlight!

Cyanotype, one of the earliest and simplest photography processes invented by English astronomer Sir John Herschel in 1842, is also called sunprint and blueprint in English. These names describe the essence of the process: a picture is produced by exposing it to sunlight, and the obtained image is of an amazing Berlin blue colour. The first book illustrated with photographic images, i.e. plant cyanotype photograms, was created using the cyanotype photographic process. It was published by botanist Ana Atkins in 1843. Later, cyanotype was used for making copies of drawings.

In the cyanotype workshop, having sensitised paper by a special solution, visitors create original compositions on it and observe how they turn into blue photographic prints. The negatives of the old photos stored in the museum are used for creating postcards, and visitors can keep the postcards they create as souvenirs.

The workshop is hosted by the Photography Museum of Šiauliai Aušros Museum, the only specialised museum of photography art and technique in Lithuania, an important multifunctional centre of photography that houses and represents a significant collection of nearly 150,000 exhibits and museum pieces of Lithuanian visual heritage, photography technique and equipment, printed matter and documents.

Permanent workshop. Blessed Virgin Mary of Consolation church, 1st floor.

Picture restoration workshop

Nearly every family has old photos and namely they, printed on the old photographic paper, remained the witnesses of the past. However, due to adverse effects of time and environment photos fade, they are damaged mechanically and may be lost for ever. During the workshop, photo restorers teach visitors how to store, maintain and preserve old photos so that they continue bringing joy in the future too because digital pictures often vanish in hard disks and clouds whereas the paper ones stored in albums stir up interest in the whole family. Most importantly, restorers explain what practices inflict particular damage to pictures, for instance, if adhesive tape or office glue is used, they may be damaged irreversibly.

The workshop is hosted by the Restoration Centre of Aušros Museum which is a structural unit of Šiauliai Aušros Museum whose activity is aimed assisting to protect, preserve and recognise cultural heritage properties by studying, conserving and restoring them.

3rd of May (Friday) 10:30-17:00, Blessed Virgin Mary of Consolation church, 2nd floor.

Traditional plaster and paint workshop

In the workshop, historical, traditional construction materials and products intended for restoration and sustainable repairs of old buildings are presented. Visitors become familiar with natural pigments, try out plastering using different types of plaster, may participate in collective moulding. Throughout the entire event, a collective piece of art called “the art from the heart” is created from natural materials in the recreational area by all participants and visitors. It will be retained by the Community of Our Lady of Consolation as a token of appreciation.

The workshop is held by craftsman Saulius Jackevičius who has already been working with paint and plaster for 25 years.

Permanent workshop. Blessed Virgin Mary of Consolation church, 1st floor.

His Majesty Lime!!!

The workshop is mainly dedicated to this historical construction material used by the humanity for thousands of years. Different maturity lime is introduced, sketches where different techniques are used are demonstrated. Lime-marble plaster is made during the theoretical and practical class lasting for an academic hour.

Paint workshop by Saulius. Saulius Jackevičius is a craftsman and artisan, developer of natural construction materials, technologist, educator and lecturer. Saulius has been working with paint and different types of plaster for 25 years already. For the last decade, he has been an active promoter of the Lithuanian clay house culture, developer of the clay floor, participated in projects, given lectures, held practical classes and educational seminars on the topics of natural, traditional paint and plaster. He applies his knowledge in painting different surfaces, plastering with clay and lime plasters as well as making earthen floors.

Registration is needed. 

3rd of May (Friday) 14:30-15:30, Blessed Virgin Mary of Consolation church, 1st floor.

4th of May (Saturday) 14:00-15:00, Blessed Virgin Mary of Consolation church, 1st floor.

Artificial marble, scagliola, gypsum moulding and casein paint production workshop

The Heritage Conservation Department  of Vilnius Academy of Arts holds the workshop on artificial marble and scagliola, gypsum mouldings and casein paint production. The workshop hosts, who train future restorers, hope that familiarisation with the techniques of artificial marble, scagliola, gypsum moulding, trying out the technique of casein paint production during the workshop offer an excellent opportunity to get to know the old crafts and painting techniques that have been quite forgotten as well as be carried away into the rippling space of shapes and colours. Another unit of Vilnius Academy of Arts – the Centre for Applied Research and Conservation of Cultural Heritage in Telšiai – presents 3D scanning of small cultural heritage properties.

Workshop on artificial thick-layer marble and scagliola art

Artificial thick-layer marble decorations are abundant in the churches of Lithuania, however, the technique itself and its manufacturing technologies have been slightly forgotten. The decorative finish scagliola, which is close to the artificial marble technique and which flourished in Florence in the 16th century and spread across its borders, is even less known in Lithuania. These largely forgotten techniques for imitating precious stones will be taught in the workshop led by Alvydas Mandeika. A session in the making of an artificial marble slab and its decoration with the scagliola technique will open the eyes to see new colours in the interior and decorations of many Lithuanian churches.

The workshop is hosted by the Heritage Conservation Department of Vilnius Academy of Arts.

Registration is needed. 

3rd of May (Friday) 13:30-15:00, Blessed Virgin Mary of Consolation church, 1st floor.

4th of May (Saturday) 14:00-15:30, Blessed Virgin Mary of Consolation church, 1st floor.

Gypsum plaster moulding workshop

Gypsum is one more excellent construction and sculpting material discovered in the ancient Greece. Gypsum and its mixtures are plastic, easily mouldable and one of the most widely used materials in different decoration techniques of building interiors. The use of gypsum to replicate mouldings (by casting in moulds) allows a very precise rendering of all minute details of the original – pre-cast model. The workshop offers an introduction to a plastic and easily mouldable sculpting material – gypsum and its casting in moulds. It is one of the most widely used materials for decorating building interiors, often used in cultural heritage objects.

The workshop is presented by the Heritage Conservation Department of Vilnius Academy of Arts. The workshop is hosted by restorer Ramunė Balandžiūnienė.

Registration is needed. 

3rd of May (Friday) 12:30-13:30, 17:00-18:00, Blessed Virgin Mary of Consolation church, 2nd floor.

4th of May (Saturday) 13:00-14:00, 16:00-17:00, Blessed Virgin Mary of Consolation church, 2nd floor.

Casein paint production workshop

Presumably, casein is one of the oldest binding materials for paints, used as early as in the ancient Egypt. Casein was widely used as underpaid for oil paintings, decorative wall painting or other surfaces. Its popularity has grown between the second half of the 19th century and the early 20th century when ready-made paint became available for canvas and wall paintings. Now this technique is alive only in the memory of older generation artists and chemists–technologists. The workshop led by Alvydas Mandeika will teach the old paint production technology – visitors of the exhibition will get casein from curds with their own hands, then will turn it to paint and will decorate gypsum mouldings.

The workshop is hosted by the Heritage Conservation Department of Vilnius Academy of Arts.

Registration is needed. 

3rd of May (Friday) 15:30-16:30, Blessed Virgin Mary of Consolation church, 2nd floor.

4th of May (Saturday) 11:00-12:00, 17:30-18:30, Blessed Virgin Mary of Consolation church, 2nd floor.

Virtual heritage – 3D scanning workshop

The workshop presents 3D scanning equipment and demonstrates its technical capacities in the scanning of small heritage objects. Participants will be briefed about the scanning process of heritage objects, preparatory works, scanning, adjustment of files and preparation of information for further use.

The workshop is hosted by the Centre for Applied Research and Conservation of Cultural Heritage of Vilnius Academy of Arts. The Centre was founded during the project “Establishment and Strengthening of Activities of the Centre for Applied Research and Conservation of Cultural Heritage at Kęstučio Street 3-2 in Telšiai”. The main objective of the project is to contribute to the preservation of the Lithuanian cultural heritage by facilitating the research of cultural heritage and education activities in the region of Žemaitija (Samogitia) region. The Centre carries out wooden heritage restoration works, implements project and education activities.

Permanent workshop. Blessed Virgin Mary of Consolation church, 2nd floor.

Practice of painting retouching

The workshop presents different retouching techniques of paint losses used in restoration practice. One of them is the so-called trattegio, which requires not only deep understanding of an artwork, but also … knowledge of physics and chemistry. Participants will enjoy a detailed presentation of one of the most complex methods of retouching and an explanation how this technique is applied to meet aesthetic and ethical principles of retouching. Participants will get a fragment of a damaged painting and, guided by professional painting restorers, will try the retouching technique on the lost paint spots.

The workshop is hosted by Pranas Gudynas Restoration Centre of the Lithuanian Art Museum.

Registration is needed. 

3rd of May (Friday) 11:30-13:00, 14:30-16:00, 17:30-19:00, Blessed Virgin Mary of Consolation church, 2nd floor.

Gilding – the oldest technique of decoration

The workshop will demonstrate the process of gilding and will introduce three most popular techniques: glazed gilding on bole, matt oil gilding and gilding with gold powder. Gilding was applied on larger or smaller parts of paintings, frames of paintings, details of furniture, polychrome sculptures and other artworks.

The workshop is hosted by Pranas Gudynas Restoration Centre of the Lithuanian Art Museum.

4th of May (Saturday) 11:30-13:00, Blessed Virgin Mary of Consolation church, 2nd floor.

Workshop on restoration of ceramics: The Fate of a Broken Cup – To Repair or Throw Away?

Workshop participants with get familiar with the principles of restoration of ceramics. A restored piece of ceramics, glass or porcelain losses it utilitarian purpose, but a careful collecting of all the tiniest broken pieces and gluing them together saves family relics or witnesses travel impressions. Although a glued cup will never be used for tea and a glued vase will never hold fresh flowers, they will live as memories with their own stories, as witnesses of the past.

The workshop is hosted by Pranas Gudynas Restoration Centre of the Lithuanian Art Museum.

Registration is needed. 

4th of May (Saturday) 11:30-13:00, 14:30-16:00, Blessed Virgin Mary of Consolation church, 2nd floor.

Retouching of three-dimensional objects

Workshop participants will learn about ethical and aesthetic principles of retouching applied to polychrome wooden sculptures, will hear about the solutions used in practice, restoration techniques and the selection of materials according to different restoration purposes.

The workshop is hosted by Pranas Gudynas Restoration Centre of the Lithuanian Art Museum.

Registration is needed. 

4th of May (Saturday) 14:30-16:00, 17:00-18:30, Blessed Virgin Mary of Consolation church, 2nd floor.

Workshop–training on wall painting conservation

This workshop–training is for those who have some wall paintings that are falling apart and crumbling in their housing, as well as for architects or restorers who encounter similar problems.

Participants will get training on several handy techniques: to stabilise the sections of plaster containing wall paintings by applying lime and sand mortar renderings along the plaster edges, with Japanese (or cotton fibre) paper renderings, adding and removal of “patches”. If these steps are correctly applied according to the methodology and the paintings of concern gets stabilised, they will be able to wait for restoration for long years without losses. Long-standing experience in painting restoration will be shared with small groups by restorer Audronė Kaušinienė in two to three hour sessions.

The workshop is hosted by Archeodomus – Audronė Kaušinienė’s sole proprietorship engaged in cultural heritage conservation works: polychrome examinations, designing, conservation, restoration, reconstruction of wall painting.

Registration is needed. 

3rd of May (Friday) 14:00-16:00, Blessed Virgin Mary of Consolation church, 2nd floor.

4th of May (Saturday) 12:00-14:00, Blessed Virgin Mary of Consolation church, 2nd floor.

Folk Music Brach of Kaunas City Museum

Interactive Musical Game “DJ Folk”

DJ Folk, the interactive musical game of Kaunas City Museum, allows everybody to feel like a DJ and enjoy Lithuanian music in a modern way. By arranging bricks on a special game board, visitors can compose music sounds and create unique versions of Lithuanian folk songs. Mix two songs arranged by Thundertale: polyphonic song “Rimo tūto” and song “Ant kalno karklai”.

The workshop is hosted by the Folk Music Branch of Kaunas City Museum.

4th of May (Saturday) 11:00-15:00, Leisure space.

Panpipe making from grass plants

Everybody can learn to play one of the oldest Lithuanian folk instruments – panpipes. Most interestingly, panpipes are easy to make on your own. Participation in the panpipe making session will teach its participants to cut out a panpipe from the stem of an ordinary plant. A group of 4 to 5 persons can practice playing simple polyphonic tunes that have been in existence for several thousand years.

The workshop is hosted by the Folk Music Branch of Kaunas City Museum – a modern and interactive presentation of the traditional Lithuanian music and the cultural folk music context.

4th of May (Saturday) 13:00-14:00, Leisure space.

Workshop on making traditional hanging straw decorations (straw gardens)

Straw gardens is the most fascinating and meaningful traditional art decoration. That is not only the heritage of Lithuanian folk art, but also a highly important element of the Baltic Sea region, European and world cultural heritage that reflects the old world outlook and traditions. The “straw garden” symbolises the World Tree and the cosmic order, emits peaceful vibrations. During Lithuania’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the traditional straw garden was used as a symbol for the aspiration of the Member States of the European Union for peace and stability. Straw gardens were made all over Lithuania and formed an important part of national customs – hung above cradles, wedding tables, used to decorate home before Christmas Eve or Easter. The workshop will brief about the material used for straw garden making, its preparation, will teach how to cut and make a small garden for oneself.

The workshop is hosted by folk artist Marija Liugienė, co-ordinator of cultural activities at Vilnius Ethnic Culture Centre.

Registration is needed. 

3rd of May (Friday) 13:00-15:00, 15:00-17:00, Blessed Virgin Mary of Consolation church, 1st floor.

Wall art making from wood strips

Workshop participants are invited to join in the creation of an organic wall art from wood strips and different height and colour wood scraps. The participants may write a one-word wish for themselves, for the team of Heritas or for the whole Lithuania, on the top of the wood strips.

The workshop is hosted by Matyta.lt – authentic modern-design furniture from Eastern and Central Europe, professionally restored, renewed and made suitable for practical and good-quality use.

Permanent workshop. Leisure space.

Paper restoration workshop

Each single house has a multitude of heritage items – books, photographs, old documents. Their preservation for future generations can be simple and successful with the help of some tricks used by professional restorers. All the secrets of paper and books – The Creative Workshop Paper Space.

The Secret to Long Lasting Books: a short intro to ensure a long life of a library

The restorers of cultural valuables have the knowledge and skills to give a second life to decaying heritage valuables, but that demands immense efforts, time and funds. Professionals of all heritage areas agree that there is no better way to ensure the protection of cultural valuables but a saving attitude to them in daily life. The golden rule for document-keeping applies both for private and public libraries. Bookbinder Ieva Rusteikaitė, restorer of the Vilnius University Library, explains about the most common type of damage to books and graphic-rich documents, offers advice how to avoid that and, by minimum efforts, to ensure their adequate protection – also long-lasting books in personal libraries. This practical guide to book care is illustrated with old documents from the library of the Cultural Heritage Centre.

The workshop is hosted by Ieva Rusteikaitė, restorer of the Library of Vilnius University.

3rd of May (Friday) 14:30-15:00, 16:30-17:00, Blessed Virgin Mary of Consolation church, 2nd floor.

 Workshop on Japanese bookbinding

Workshop participants will practice the Japanese bookbinding to make a notebook or sketchbook. The subtle Japanese binding technique is easy to learn and is used for making aesthetic and useful hand-made items, which can become a great gift.

The workshop is hosted by the Document Conservation and Restoration Division of the Wroblewski Library of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences.

Registration is needed. 

3rd of May (Friday ), 12:00-13:00, 13:00-14:00, Blessed Virgin Mary of Consolation church, 2nd floor.

Book care workshop

Visitors of the workshop will learn about the materials suitable for repairing torn book pages of their personal libraries, will see how to replace metal staples, which damage paper but are sometimes used for binding book pages, how to produce bookmarks. The most important lesson – dos and don’ts in book repairing at home.

The workshop is hosted by the Document Conservation and Restoration Division of the Wroblewski Library of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences. The Division works on the conservation and restoration of valuable documents: books, maps, manuscripts, parchments, engravings, periodicals; binds and rebinds sets of periodicals, repairs damaged documents.

Registration is needed. 

3rd of May (Friday) 15:00-16:00, 17:00-18:00, Blessed Virgin Mary of Consolation church, 2nd floor.

The Old Paper Speaks

Experts of the Restoration Division of the Lithuanian Central State Archives will guide through a wide variety of paper, will tell about different paper types, watermarks, and their use. The workshop will explain the developments of paper over ages and will offer a unique collection of old paper for display – historical specimens of hand-made paper produced from different materials, which nowadays has been replaced by the paper made from pulp. History shows that the variety of paper and its production methods can also open the way for new-generation paper products. The old paper, watermarks and specimens of the 20th century paper will be conveniently displayed on a special illuminated table.

The workshop is hosted by the Document Restoration Division, which has been operating in the Lithuanian Central State Archives for 25 years and is the only establishment in the system of archives that restores documents stored in all national archives. There are 9 restorers and 3 book binders working in the Division.

4th of May (Saturday) 10:30-11:30, 13:30-14:30, 16:30-17:30, Blessed Virgin Mary of Consolation church, 2nd floor.

SOS for Books

The restorers will show in the educational workshop how to rescue wet books by drying them with the help of the means available in each and every home. A demonstration of the special glue used for restoration and an explanation of the process of its manufacturing. With the assistance of the restorers, participants may also repair their own damaged books.

The workshop is hosted by the Restoration Division of the Lithuanian Central State Archives.

4th of May (Saturday) 12:00-13:00, 15:00-16:00, 18:00-19:00, Blessed Virgin Mary of Consolation church, 2nd floor.

Workshop “How to organise a heritage volunteering project”?

The workshop will tie in with the presentation “Volunteering for cultural heritage” on previous day, but it will be more practically orientated and will aim to activists as well as to representatives of administrations that plan to initiate a heritage volunteering project.

In a first part will be explained which tasks can be an appropriate content of a heritage volunteering project as well as which structures are needed to guarantee the necessary heritage linked quality.

Afterwards formal aspects as the legal frame, the collaboration between non-governmental organisations, public administrations and heritage institutions and possible ways to finance a heritage volunteering project will be discussed.

Finally, experiences concerning logistic issues, the recruitment of volunteers, the educational programme, the intercultural dimension, the networking on European level and other aspects will be shared.

The workshop will provide space to discuss in an interactive format project ideas of the participants.

Registration is needed. 

4th of May (Saturday) 14:00-15:30, EHU, 2nd floor, Senate hall

Workshop on restoration of a chair with a soft element.

The workshop hosted by Gintarė Jurgė.

Permanent workshop. Blessed Virgin Mary of Consolation church, 1st floor.

Workshop on restoration of wooden parts of everyday furniture.

The workshop hosted by matyta.lt Authentic Central and Eastern European furniture of modernist design, professionally restored and renewed, practical, high quality, forever stylish.

4th of May (Saturday) 14:30-15:30, Blessed Virgin Mary of Consolation church, 1st floor.

Seminars

Fair HERITAS pays special attention to the seminar space, where various specialists are sharing their academic and practical insights about cultural heritage and its conservation. This year, we offer visitors of the fair a possibility to know more about various cultural heritage communities. We will concentrate on the activities of these communities – the power to recognize, preserve and adapt cultural heritage objects. Practical part of the seminar programme will be filled with presentations of relevant research, examples of successful restorations, discussions of the latest restoration technologies and practical advice for owners of real cultural heritage objects.

We hope that these seminars will offer everyone interesting, useful and thought provoking information. The seminar space is open to all!

3rd of May (Friday) 12:00-13:30, EHU, 1st floor, 110 aud. Mastership. Three Stories

Ieva Rusteikaitė. Photo: Liuda Drižytė

Ieva Rusteikaitė (Vilnius University Library, Documental Heritage Preservation Division)

Ieva Rusteikaitė, conservator-restorer of documents of the Vilnius University Library (VUB) since 2011. In 2016, she graduated with MA degree in Conservation and Restoration Projects at University of Barcelona, Spain. Since the return to work in the Documental Heritage Preservation Division of the VUB, she has worked in document restoration and assisted in organising the Division’s activities, including the restoration works of book bindings. She is engaged in the research of VUB resources, interested in the history of bookbindery and the development of document restoration in Lithuania. She is a member of the Bookbinders Guild of Vilnius and a founder of Siberiana Books.

“From a Craft to Restoration: Problems of Preservation of Documents and their Bindings”

Since the earliest efforts to preserve damaged documents, the focus has been on the preservation of written information media – parchment and paper. Document bindings and covers, first of all, had the protective and/or decorative function. After the loss of these functions through wear and tear, they would be right away replaced by a new fine protective binding of the document. As a result, the preservation of bindings was of secondary importance for a long time – many of them disappeared irreversibly together with the knowledge how they were made. Fascinating structures of old-time bindings and fine biding techniques gained interest in the nineteenth century, which gradually evolved into the desire not only to retain the knowledge of the long-lived and diverse book binding craft but also to preserve valuable historical samples. The presentation will explore why it is important to preserve the authentic binding structure, will discuss the archaeology of bookbinding, why the work of professional document restorers is necessary, how the craft of bookbinding relates to it and how the knowledge of this craft can be retained.


Peter Schöffel

Peter Schöffel (Glashütte Lamberts Waldsassen GmbH)

Working for Glashütte Lamberts as sales representative for Eastern Europe.

“Traditional Mouthblown Sheet Glass – still alive”

As one of the last producers in the world for traditional mouthblown sheetglass (window-glass) we would like to present to the related people how this glass still is made. Till Worldwar I nearly every window was made with mouthblown glass. We would like to bring back in mind that this glass is still produced in the original way. We would like to give an impression how this glass is made and how it is used today.


Gintas Kavoliūnas

Gintas Kavoliūnas (Vilnius Academy of Arts, VšĮ Atvirosos fotografijos dirbtuvės (Open Photography Workshop)

Gintas Kavoliūnas is a photographer, researcher and reconstructor of old photography techniques, recently immersed in the research of classification and recognisability of photographic processes.

“The Classification and Identification of Historical Photographic Techniques”

The presentation will discuss the topics of recognisability and identification of photographic prints, overview the first results of the research which started from the 19th century photographs stored in the Museum of Photography in Šiauliai and in the speaker’s private collection, and will discuss the completed stages of and expected further steps the research.

3rd of May (Friday) 16:00-18:00, EHU, 1st floor, 110 aud. Heritage – A Matter of the Community. Plenary presentations

Prof. dr. Marija Drėmaitė. Photo: Robertas Daškevičius.


Dr. Salvijus Kulevičius. Photo: Gintaras Miltenis.

Prof. Dr. Marija Drėmaitė, Dr. Salvijus Kulevičius (Vilnius University, Faculty of History)

Prof. dr. Marija Drėmaitė is architectural historian and lectures at the Faculty of History, Vilnius University. She is a chair of the Cultural Heritage Master studies programme. In 2012-2015 she worked as a Secretary General of the Lithuanian National Commission for UNESCO. Her research interests cover 20th century architecture and industrial heritage. In 2017 she has published a book Baltic Modernism. Architecture and Housing in Soviet Lithuania (Berlin: Dom publishers) and in 2018 she curated the international travelling exhibition Architecture of Optimism: The Kaunas Phenomenon, 1918-1940, and edited an eponymous book (Vilnius: Lapas).

Dr. Salvijus Kulevičius is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of History, Vilnius University and a member of the Committee for the Cultural Heritage Master studies programme. In 2014–2016 he was a chairman of the Fifth expert council for cultural heritage evaluation at the Department of Cultural Heritage.  His research interests cover theory of heritage, history of heritage preservation, and memory studies. He lectures extensively on theory and history of heritage.

“Paradigm shift: New approach to people – and community-centered heritage”

Today the cultural heritage is taking on a whole new dimension. It is no longer a cultural sector, but also growing economic and political dimensions. As a factor of durability, identity and human dignity, it is in practice central to the logic of sustainable development and a key element in the achievement of a societal model based on fair and reasonable use of local cultural and natural resources, on recognition of diversity and on a strengthening of social bonds. There is thus an urgent need to deal with the heritage, the definition of which needs to be adapted, not just from the viewpoint of conservation techniques, but also from that of its functions and meaning during the current transformation of society. In this context, the changing paradigm of people- and community-centered heritage should be discussed: who is taking the lead and the responsibility; how communities can be involved in heritage management; and how the balance between the communities, heritage professionals and the development can be achieved? Theoretical discussion is supported by the presentation of the present day research from the Vilnius University and contemporary communities.


Dr. Bert Ludwig

Dr. Bert Ludwig (European Heritage Volunteers)

Dr. Bert Ludwig, born in Germany, studied heritage studies in Germany and Czech Republic.

After his studies he worked at heritage administrations in Germany on local, regional and state levels. Later he moved to the non-profit sector and worked at various non-governmental organisations in the field of heritage, intercultural education and civil society involvement in Germany and on European level. Since several years he is the director of European Heritage Volunteers.

“Volunteering for cultural heritage”

The presentation will provide an overview about the links between cultural heritage and volunteering. A short historical introduction will describe the development of civil society engagement for cultural heritage from its beginnings in the 19th century till present time.

The main part of the presentation will focus on the potentials and the limitations of voluntarily engagement for the rescue, the preservation and the revitalisation of cultural heritage. A wide range of best practice examples of volunteering projects at cultural heritage sites all over Europe will illustrate the capability of volunteering as an appropriate tool to preserve heritage sites of different categories, but also to raise awareness for the particular heritage site among the local population as well as the at local and regional administrations and to strengthen local capacities of civil society engagement for heritage. As conclusion European Heritage Volunteers’ overall project “Sharing Heritage – Sharing Engagement” in which currently more than thirty partners from sixteen European countries are successfully collaborating will be presented.

4th of May (Saturday) 11:00-12:30, EHU, 1st floor, 110 aud. Stories of the Old Vilnius

Indrė Valkiūnienė

Indrė Valkiūnienė („Opus Optimum)

Indrė Valkiūnienė, highest-category restorer of mural paintings, polychrome researcher, member of the Restoration Council. Master’s Degree in Wall-Painting Restoration at Vilnius Academy of Arts. In 2004, internship at Opificio delle Pietre Dure di Firenzein Italy. More than 30 mural painting restoration, polychrome research, polychrome designing and restoration works of historical buildings.

“History of Restoration of Mural Paintings of Joachim Lelewel Hall at Vilnius University and Search for Authenticity”

Joachim Lelewel Hall was opened at Vilnius University after the former 17th century chapel was divided into two floors. The mural paintings of this room date back to the late 17th century – early 18th century; the figure fresco of St. Stanislaw Kostka and St. Mary the Virgin was painted on the chapel vault in 1760. After the Jesuit Order was dissolved, the Chapel became unnecessary and, in the first quarter of the 19th century, it was divided into two floors, and the murals were painted over. In 1920, the University regained the Hall and the mural paintings were rediscovered several years later. In 1927, the vault paintings were uncovered and their restoration works were entrusted to Jerzy Hoppen. In the 20th century, the mural paintings were again restored and renewed several times. As a result, the paintings of the vaults lost the elements of their authenticity, the baroque paintings were concealed under several layers of repainting. Additional polychrome and chemical tests of the paint layers undertaken in 2017 uncovered not only the above-mentioned 18th century figure fresco featuring St. Stanislaw Kostka but also other repainted details of the 18th century mural paintings. The most recent discoveries have prompted the concept for the restoration of these mural paintings – to uncover the authentic paintings successively, in separate layers, and make final decisions concerning the methodology of restoration works with reference to the surviving layers of different stages rather than at once. The presentation will overview different restoration states of the paintings, the discovered authentic painting details, and the restoration solutions made between 2017 and 2018.


Monika Žėkaitė

Dovilė Baltramiejūnaitė, Monika Žėkaitė (VšĮ Archeologijos centras)

Dovilė Baltramiejūnaitė, PhD student at Vilnius University, archaeologist. Archaeologist of the Directorate of the State Cultural Reserve of Kernavė since 2008 and of Všį Archeologijos centras since 2017. Monika Žėkaitė, archaeologist with a master’s degree. She has worked in the area of archaeology since 2016. She is involved in archaeological research and investigations of cultural heritage objects together with VšĮ Archeologijos centras.

“Excavations of the Gediminas Hill: Ten Findings – Ten Stories”

The Upper Castle of Vilnius, or the Gediminas Hill, is one of the most significant cultural heritage sites, an object of excitement and interest for the public not only because of its rich, long and intriguing history. It is an important symbol of the state which caused much concern over the landslides of its slopes in the recent years. Along with the slope restoration works between 2017 and 2018, archaeological excavations also took place. Uncovered masonry remains, graves and different findings provide new material to explore changes of the hill. Different points in the history of human activities from the 1st century BC to date will be overviewed by the archaeologists who have been involved in the investigations. Ten most interesting findings unfold ten different stories of the journey from the times of the earliest inhabitants of the hill to modern times.


Prof. (HP) Dr. Albinas Kuncevi-ius. Photo: E. Kurauskas

Prof. (HP) Dr. Albinas Kuncevičius (Vilnius University, Faculty of History)

Head of the Faculty of Archaeology, Faculty of History, Vilnius University, Professor, Doctor of Humanities, archaeologist, research area: Medieval archaeology and monument protection.

“At Cultural Crossroads: Specifics of The Holy Trinity Shrine in Vilnius. The Dead about the Living”

Between 2015 and 2016, researchers from Vilnius University initiated a historical, archaeological, and anthropological investigation of a crypt in the Basilian Church or the Holy Trinity. In 2015, the coffins scattered in the crypt were removed and investigated, and the burials in the soil of this crypt were investigated in 2016. The historical material was collected by Dr. Martynas Jakulis, the archaeological investigations were led by Prof. Dr. Albinas Kuncevičius, the anthropological investigations of dead bodies were carried out by Dr. Justina Kozakaitė, the findings were conserved and described by restorer Vytautė Lukšėnienė. The investigated crypt lies under the altar of the church. The size of the investigated burial crypt is 8.7 x 5.8 m. The vault is half-cylinder, with the height of 4.3 m. Prior to the research, the crypt was filled with coffins, most of which were highly damaged; individual bones were also scattered among the coffins, together with rubbish. In total, 71 coffins with burials and more than 60 skeletons were explored between 2015 and 2016. The inscriptions on the coffins showed that they where buried between 1717 and 1788. The coffins buried in the soil in the depth of up to 1 metre date to a period earlier than 1717. The last time coffins were brought to this crypt from other crypts was in 1965. Some of the coffins were decorated with monograms of Jesus or the Blessed Virgin Mary, some with other symbols such as the skull and bones, part of them were painted black and decorated with white crosses, etc. 14 coffins had names of the dead written on them. Five mummified bodies and 13 poorly mummified bodies were found among the burials.

4th of May (Saturday) 13:00-15:00, EHU, 1st floor, 110 aud. Any News in the Historical Interior?

Dr. Dalia Klajumienė

Dr. Dalia Klajumienė (Vilnius Academy of Arts, Institute of Art Research)

Dr. Dalia Klajumienė, Doctor of Humanities, expert of cultural heritage. Researcher at the Institute of Art Research, lecturer at Vilnius Academy of Arts Monument Restoration Department and Vilnius University Faculty of History. Major research areas: Lithuanian art from the 16th to the early 20th century; interior decorations of secular buildings; art heritage registration and protection. In 2017, the Lithuanian Science Award for the research of the interior of secular buildings of the 19th century. 

Decorative Flooring Trends between the 19th and early 20th century”

The colours, specifics of materials and ornamentation used in floor coverings are highly important factors contributing to the aesthetic expression and overall view of interiors. Extensive research of the recent years shows that the second half of the 19th century – early 20th century, was the time when newly invented materials or not new ones, but which then regained their popularity, became widely used in interiors and the specific features and decoration of these materials led to the change of ornamentation and colour decisions of other décor elements.

The presentation is mostly based on the research of residential houses in Vilnius and offers an illustrative overview of traditional and new floorings, the scope of their prevalence and changing fashions, outlines local and foreign manufacturers of floor covers and of the specifics of their products.


Dr. Alantė Valtaitė-Gagač

Dr. Alantė Valtaitė-Gagač

Dr. Alantė Valtaitė-Gagač, Doctor of Humanities, almost a decade of research of focusing on the light fixtures in Lithuania. In 2015, Doctoral Dissertation “Historical Chandeliers in Lithuania from the 17th Century to the 1930s” at Vilnius Academy of Arts, contributor of new and valuable material on this topic. Since 2017, developer of the Virtual Online Catalogue “Historical Chandeliers in Lithuania” (www.sietynupaveldas.lt).

“Chandeliers with Grass Snake Shaped Branches: from the Netherlands to Lithuania”

Chandeliers with grass snake shaped branches are among the oldest and most valuable in Lithuania. They are stored in the largest museums of Lithuania and in private collections. Irrespective of the value of these chandeliers, their evolution and origin has not been more extensively analysed in Lithuania to date. The ornament of a grass snake is not alien to the culture of Lithuania; quite the opposite, it is very significant and frequent. That was one of the major reasons that encouraged a more detailed analysis of such chandeliers and a study of their origin. What message was inherent in the symbols of these chandeliers? What was their functioning area? Where are their roots and what specimens have survived in Lithuania? An intricate and truly interesting history of objects of applied art – chandeliers by Alantė Valtaitė-Gagač.


Dr. Simona Skaisgirytė–Makselienė

Dr. Simona Skaisgirytė–Makselienė (Auction House “Vilnius Auction”)

Dr. Simona Skaisgirytė–Makselienė, art researcher, leader of Vilnius Auction, Art Gallery Kunstkamera, and the Art History School (MIM) of this Auction House. Compiler of various art albums, author of the monograph about the late Byzantine culture, co-author of “Menas ir pinigai” (“Art and Money”), bestseller on art collecting.

“Auctions as an Instrument for Cultural Heritage Protection”

Auctions is a product of the Early Modern Age witnessing rather rich art market of those days and consisting of the primary and secondary market. An auction is a secondary market instrument, which effectively helps satisfy the needs of collectors. The first auction houses – Dorotheum was founded in Vienna in 1707, Sotheby’s opened in 1744, and Christie’s – in 1766. As transparency is at the core of auction operations, they contribute considerably to the preservation of cultural heritage. First of all, auctions help identify the real price, i.e. the market price, of cultural heritage. Secondly, considering that there is a vast flow of various art objects to action houses, normally they become the sieve for filtering originals from fakes. As auction houses warrant the authenticity of the objects they sell financially (and also by their reputation), they have a solid know-how to help them authenticate, attribute, evaluate and describe the artworks offered for the auction. And not only. On the way, auction houses have to take care of artwork restoration, provenance (history of ownership), framing and publication. It is auction houses in particular that merit gratitude for giving a second life to a large number of artworks. This presentation will outline, from the perspective of a representative of the Auction House, how auction houses have been working since the early 18th century in order to incorporate cultural heritage in a civilised, legal, transparent and responsible art market.

4th of May (Saturday) 15:30-17:00, EHU, 1st floor, 110 aud. Memory of Different Communities – who owns this Heritage?

Martynas Užpelkis (Jewish Community of  Lithuanian)

Martynas Užpelkis, specialist of cultural heritage and tourism with more than 20 years of working experience in these areas. Graduate in history enthology (VU, master’s degree) and responsible tourism management (Leeds Metropolitan University, master’s degree). Since 2005, leader of VŠĮ KULTUR, which specialises in cultural and tourism studies and consultancy. Since 2013, heritage protection expert in the Lithuanian Jewish Community.

“Lithuanian Jewish Heritage – A Matter of the Jewish Community and/or Local Communities?”

The Jewish heritage in Lithuania are the relics of a cultural landscape created over more than 600 years by the community which once numbered a quarter million people living in almost every present-day Lithuanian city and town: 200 old cemeteries, 200 Holocaust massacre places and mass graves, 100 synagogues… How to preserve this cultural heritage for future generations? What are the challenges and how are they resolved by the Lithuanian Jewish community that has decreased to 5000 members? What is the role of authorities, local communities and members of society?

Motiejus Jakubauskas (Union of Tatar Communities in Lithuania, Department of National Minorities under the Government of Lithuania, National Communities Board)

“Tatars and Lithuania: Common History, Common Heritage”

Jurgis Pranas Didžiulis Valencia (performer, song and music author, producer, social activist)

“Communities amongst concrete: from tribe to metropolis”


Dr. Tomas Vaiseta. Photo: Julius Kalinskas

Dr. Tomas Vaiseta (Vilnius University, Faculty of History)

Tomas Vaiseta, Doctor of Humanities, Associated Professor of the Faculty of History, Vilnius University. Major areas of his interest and research – the culture and social history of the soviet occupation period, soviet psychiatry, history of the 20th century sexuality, studies of the memory. He has published two monographs – “Society of boredom: everyday and ideology in the late soviet period (1964-1984)” (2014) and “Holiday House: Social History of the Mental Hospital of Vilnius (1944-1990)” (2018).

“Stateless Soldiers”: Community Attitude to the Burial Sites of Soviet Soldiers in Lithuania”

The burial sites of Soviet soldiers in Lithuania is one of the most politicised heritage topics, which has gained international interest in the recent days. This issue is on the agendas of ministries, embassies, departments. The presentation offers a different perspective to this problem – from the “bottom”: how these sites are perceived and viewed, what threats and fate for these sites is seen by different society groups and communities living close to these sites. The research makes a distinction is made between three different society groups, discusses their political, symbolic and emotional relationship with the burial sites of soviet soldiers. The research is based on interviews with community members.


Viltė Janušauskaitė

Viltė Janušauskaitė (Vilnius University, Faculty of History)

Viltė Janušauskaitė, architect, expert of immovable cultural heritage protection and PhD student of the Faculty of History, Vilnius University, researcher of the history of urban heritage protection. Since 2013, the researcher has been exploring the phenomenon of mass housing in Vilnius through the experiences of dwellers of its residential districts.

“Ambiguous Residential Heritage: The Case of Lazdynai and Žirmūnai”

In mid-eighties, the soviet modern urban “pearls”, mass housing areas Žirmūnai and Lazdynai, were added to the list of cultural monuments where old-town heritage objects prevailed. Mass construction large-panel housing has gained the treatment equivalent to churches and manor houses. Apparently, these residential areas and housing are not perceived as heritage objects in the professional and academic domains, all the more so by the public at large – presence in the register is “only an indication of prestige” rather than real protection. The presentation draws upon the qualitative interviews with the oldest residents of these residential areas and explores the formation and developments in the attitude of local community members towards their residential environment – from daily “befriending” practices to defensive nostalgia in the context of critical public present-day discourse. Answers are sought why an indifferent relationship with the formal status of a heritage object is prevalent even among the residents who are most patriotic about their residential area. And why a reasoned discourse on heritage has never been formed and is still clouded by the prizes received during the soviet times.

Rūta Anulytė (Vilna Gaon State Jewish Museum)

“Jewish cemeteries in Lithuania: Memorialization and Heritization Issues”

4th of May (Saturday) 17:30-19:00, EHU, 1st floor, 110 aud. The Future of the Cultural Heritage is in the Hands of Communities

Dr. Claus-Peter Echter

Dr. Claus-Peter Echter (ICOMOS, EUROPA NOSTRA)

Dr. Claus-Peter Echter is a Scientific Consultant in conservation in private practice, working on a European and international level, based in Munich, Germany. He is President of CIVVIH, ICOMOS and Council Member EUROPA NOSTRA. He is specialized in urban conservation, gave lectures and published many books and articles on Architectural History and (Urban) Monument Preservation.

“Culture, Civil Society and Heritage Organisations”

The speaker will tell us about “Culture, Civil Society and Heritage Organisations”. Culture can be regarded as a priority component of urban plans and strategies that safeguard tangible and intangible cultural heritage. Two other main topics in the heritage field are the SDGs and Civil Society. Important are the social aspects of cultural heritage, albeit with a particular focus on civic participation and responsibility and the role of heritage in social cohesion and inclusion, based on shared idendity, pride in and attachment to place, and social integration. The preservation of build heritage, that has aesthetic and socio-economic values is to a major extent about connecting society with its heritage. Not only it seem that society is not completely aware of the value of that heritage but the challenge is also how that undervalued cultural heritage can contribute to the aspirations of society. Necessary in the heritage field is an alliance of civil societies : a society of communities and owners. Answers to the questions have still to be found, how civil societies can contribute to the sustainable development of cultural heritage. The presentation will evolve a range of eyperiences and activities of heritage organisations like ICOMOS and EUROPA NOSTRA in this field.


Dr. Margarita Janušonienė

Dr. Margarita Janušonienė (Department of Cultural Heritage)

Dr. Margarita Janušonienė, Doctor of Humanities, art researcher, expert of cultural heritage. Studies of art history and theory at Vilnius Academy of Arts from 1985 to 1991. In 2009, Doctoral Dissertation in Art Research, Humanities. Since 1991, works in Alytus Territorial Division, Department of Cultural Heritage. Internships in Belarus, Poland, Sweden. Since 1996, certified expert of immovable cultural heritage protection (special expert examinations of immovable ethnocultural, architectural, historical, memorial cultural heritage, arts). Author of scholarly articles and publications on heritage protection, public lectures on the history of architecture and art, theory and practice of restoration, heritage research and heritage protection.

“Contribution of Communities into the Preservation of the Heritage in Alytus Region”

The Presentation briefs about activity priorities and results of a heritage community operating in Alytus – Association Olita–Orany. The Association has been active more than a decade and taking care of the heritagisation, publication and preservation of the engineering heritage that has survived in South Lithuania. Through the efforts of Association members, the major part of the section Varėna–Alytus of the railway mainline Sankt Petersburg–Warsaw has been added to the Register of Cultural Valuables in the recent years. Community members arrange hiking and cycling tours for groups of different ages and physical capacities. The number of like-minded enthusiasts has been increasing each year in the Community, they develop new routes, are actively involved in project activities, make efforts in order to draw attention to the relevance of neglected heritage objects. The experience of the Association Olita–Orany deserves to be presented for a larger audience – their activities and the results achieved show that communities can considerably contribute to the knowledge of local cultural identity and the preservation of authentic heritage objects.

The second part of the presentation highlights the activities of the association of the Kurnėnai School of Laurynas Radziukynas. The association has been founded in the effort to preserve the Kurnėnai School, which was built during the inter-war period and is unique by its technological equipment and the wind turbine. The school building has not been used for more than a decade and its condition has been worsening each year. The school restoration project has been developed and its implementation should start in 2019.

The third part of the presentation provides an analysis of the relationship between communities and local authorities, the opportunities for communities to influence decisions on heritage protection, and financial support for communities.


Community of Blessed Virgin Mary of Consolation: Laura Kairienė, Priest Algirdas Toliatas, Žaneta Poškuvienė. Photo: Heritas organizers

Kun. Algirdas Toliatas, Laura Kairienė, Eglė Rudminaitė, Žaneta Poškuvienė (Community of Blessed Virgin Mary of Consolation)

Priest Algirdas Toliatas, chaplain of the police, leader of the community;

Eglė Rudminaitė, responsible for the preservation works of mural paintings;

Laura Kairienė, architect, responsible for the architectural and conceptual solutions;

Žaneta Poškuvienė, responsible for excursions.

“Self-Growing Community”

The Community of Blessed Virgin Mary of Consolation, which was founded in 2018, brings together volunteers who organise different activities in the Church of Blessed Virgin Mary of Consolation at Savičiaus g. 15, Vilnius. Right from its creation, the community placed much emphasis on the research, investigations and preservation of the remaining heritage of the Church of Blessed Virgin Mary of Consolation. As the Church had been derelict and little explored for a long time, that sparkled the desire to get to know it – the works to preserve the existing mural paintings were undertaken, volunteers were pooled to look for historical material, weekly free-of-charge excursions were offered. The most ambitious goals – the restoration of the once-rich mural paintings and the 3D image reproduction of the whole Barque area of the Church by state-of-the-art technologies. Professionals were called upon for this purpose. The first project is led by Audronė Kaušinienė, architect-restorer, who teaches the volunteers how to apply conservation works for the wall paintings that have opened up. The second project is being implemented together with the scholars from the University Florence – the building was scanned using the most advanced technologies, i.e. its photogrammetric measurements have been made. They have enabled the visiting restorers together with local specialist to confirm a large number of hypotheses concerning the architectural investigations, unlock new details about the building, which has been little known so far.

This presentation of the Community aims at presenting different initiatives to bring the Church of Blessed Virgin Mary of Consolation to new life and research its history. It is important for the Community to open the door of the Church and share the secret of Blessed Virgin Mary of Consolation with society members.

Tours

Tours organized during the HERITAS fair are a great possibility to get a closer look at often seen, but not yet known heritage objects. It is a great way to broaden your knowledge about heritage research and conservation. We offer you a chance to learn about the different values of heritage objects, to understand the conservation and restoration process of buildings and architectural elements better, and to uncover various secrets that small architectural details may hold.

Extraordinary objects will be open to visitors in the heart of Vilnius Old town. Visitors that are interested in architecture, history, heritage research and conservation will have a possibility to visit cultural heritage sites during the Heritas fair on 3-4th May!

Registration is needed to all the tours. 

Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania Document Conservation and Restoration Unit, Gedimino av. 51

In this educational tour at the National library document conservation and restoration unit, visitors will get a rare chance to see various damaged documents and follow their conservation and restoration journey. This journey involves many detailed steps from cleaning, physical and chemical analysis, washing, removing stains, filling missing parts with a paper pouring machine to binding.

25th of April, 12:00, 16:00.

Vilnius University Library Documental Heritage Preservation Division, Universiteto str. 3

The document restoration workshop at the Vilnius University Library is the oldest among other workshops in Lithuania’s libraries. Various unique manuscripts and rare documents are restored here, which need to be preserved for the future generations. This job carries great responsibilities and requires high qualification, various chemical and microbiological analyses and a great technical base. To see the subtleties and processes of document restoration from up close – please visit the  early Heritas guided tours!

23rd of April, 11:00, 14:00

Energy and technology museum, Rinktinės str. 2

Guided tours to the first public electric power station in Vilnius will reveal the buildings origins, history and changes through time. When man finally learned to control electricity, life started to change and in time this change started to affect broader layers of society – from the richest, who could afford private electric power stations, to wider scientific progress applied to the needs of the whole community. Visitors will learn how this power station adapted to the ever changing needs of Vilnius and to the changing political situations in the country. A model of Vilnius general plan from 1980, also part of the guided tour, will help visitors understand, what kind of future was planned for this electric power station and for the whole city of Vilnius.

3rd of May (Friday) 14:00, 17:00

4th of May (Saturday) 11:00, 14:00, 17:00 (in English)

Stikliai quarter

The Stikliai quarter is a fundamental part of Vilnius historic center, Vilnius Oldtown. It is a place which has seen many rises and falls during its long history, which has faced continual construction and destruction, that changed the face of the quarter many times from the middle ages to today. Even though the usual passer-by associates the Stikliai quarter with glass blowing and other glass processing techniques (glass in Lithuanian means stiklas), it is a place that has many more stories and remembers the light parts of history, as well as dark ones. Stories from people of various nationalities or religious beliefs interweave behind the walls of this quarter, so it is not surprising to find so many traces of past epochs in the architecture of Stikliai quarter. Every street in this quarter is worth a separate story! In this guided tour, visitors will get a chance to visit Stiklių, Gaono, Žydų, M. Antokolskio and Švarco streets and hear their history as well as hear the voices of today’s community, which has come together to revive the Stikliai quarter.

3rd of May (Friday) 12:00, 15:00

4th of May (Saturday) 11:00, 14:00 (in English), 17:00

Savičius street

Located in the heart of the Old Town of Vilnius, a short Savičiaus street boasts a long and rich history. In this and nearby streets, Vilnius craftsmen carried out their activities. The buildings of the former Augustinian monastery have remained until this day in the south-eastern part of the street and the majestic tower of The Church of Blessed Virgin Mary reaches out to the sky as it did centuries ago. Savičiaus street houses preserve the memory of famous Lithuanian people – Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis and the rescuer of Jews Ona Šimaitė. Participants of the tour are invited to discover the past and present stories of Savičiaus Street and its inhabitants, to wander the courtyards, where some spicy details of Vilnius history are hidden and to find the narrowest street of Vilnius among courtyard buildings. The Future Society Institute kindly offers participants of the tour to explore the historical interiors of buildings they are located in. M. K. Čiurlionis House will introduce visitors to the most famous Lithuanian artist and composer residential place in Savičiaus street. The craftsmen of the Old Crafts Workshop will present the crafts that exist on Savičiaus Street today.

3rd of May (Friday) 16:00

4th of May (Saturday) 11:00, 14:00

The church of Blessed Virgin Mary Our Lady of Consolation, 15 Savičiaus str., Vilnius

The church of Blessed Virgin Mary Our Lady of Consolation is extraordinary not only because it is the latest baroque church and the only late-baroque style one-towered church in Vilnius, but also because it has never been restored to its original appearance after its structure and interiors were severely altered during the soviet period. Thus the tour of the church is exclusive comparing to the other tours of sacred places in Vilnius. The tour will be led by volunteer guides, members of Ramintoja (Our Lady of Consolation) community, who have been actively contributing to the revival of this church for more than a year. In addition to historical and architectural contexts, volunteer guides will tell more about the activities of the community, how it contributes to heritage conservation, the challenges it faces, and how it gradually develops a new identity of Ramintoja. In this tour community also seeks to draw attention to questions about how heritage objects can have various alternative uses, and to discuss ways that can help people understand and preserve heritage better. Is it the authentic elements that have survived through history, is it the restored or later created whole of the interior and exterior, or is it the alternative uses that correspond to the needs of the community?

3rd of May (Friday) 11:00, 13:00, 15:00, 17:00

4th of May (Saturday) 10:00, 12:30, 15:00, 17:00 (in English)

Former Augustinian monastery in Vilnius, 17 Savičiaus str.

Late 18th century-built former Augustinian monastery is located in the intersection of Savičiaus and Bokšto streets, right next to The Church of Blessed Virgin Mary of Consolation. After the careful 5-years long restoration works which combined preservation of original interior fragments as well as uncovering of the 19th-century frescoes and old pavement the building became a new home for European Humanities University, a Belarusian university, which operates in Vilnius since 2005. Today it’s not only a heritage site, but a living and functional place to study design, heritage, social sciences, politics and international law. The histories of this vibrant place and its new inhabitants will be told by students themselves. The tour will combine observation of hidden gems of the building and its historical layers together with exploration of its new functions. Tours are planned in English and Russian.

3rd of May (Friday) 11:00 (in Russian), 13:00 (in English), 16:00 (in English)

4th of May (Saturday) 11:00 (in English), 13:00 (in Russian), 16:00 (in English)

Gėlių street synagogue, Gėlių str. 6

Synagogues  used to be one of the most abundant type of religious buildings in Lithuania, in Vilnius alone there were somewhere around a 100 of them. During the tour of the synagogue, visitors will have a possibility to learn more about the general building principles of Jewish religious houses and the specific features of this particular Gėlių street synagogue. Visitors will have a chance to admire old interior decor elements, plaster rosettes, also take a closer look at old texts found on the walls of the main synagogue hall. The tour will also take the visitors up to the women’s gallery, as well as to the place where the Torah was held and read. The tour will be in the same location, where in 1925 the voice of the famous cantor Moshe Koussevitzky used to unite more than 120 people for prayer.

3rd of May (Friday) 11:00, 13:00, 16:00, 18:00

Children and Youth Space

During the fair HERITAS a lot of attention is paid on educating children about heritage, encouraging them to learn, discover and explore. Getting acquainted with the history and heritage objects through creativity and senses is the best way to encourage the curiosity of the child, the hunger for knowledge, the desire to know and create. It is also a great way to spend time with the whole family, when seeking to know the history of their homeland and family, objects of cultural and natural heritage better, children and parents are experiencing a lot of new and interconnecting excitement. This not only acquires new knowledge, but also develops the child’s ability to overcome challenges, to solve problems creatively, to learn to understand their feelings, and parents can see and understand better what and how the child thinks, what matters and interests him.

The exhibition provides an opportunity for every child to become an archeologist, architect, painter, engineer, builder, and creator. Children, both by themselves and with other family members, are invited to take an active part in creative workshops, educational programs, excursions, games and competitions.

This is a great opportunity for all the families get more knowledge about our common heritage, to participate in creative activities, to learn more about the possibilities of active children’s leisure time, to get new ideas, to encourage children to know, discover and understand.

The Educational Space for Children and Youth hosts the Toy and Game Swap and Book Swap. Visitors of Heritas are invited to bring used and no longer wanted toys, games, books and exchange them – give a new life to old items, promote a responsible attitude of children to the culture of sustainable consumption, contribute to environmental protection.

Children can spend time in the Space of Drawing and Colours where they can discover the collections of world famous museums and libraries through colouring, add desired colours to the images of Vilnius and buildings on the paper, learn the colours of the Lithuanian flag and state symbols or simply draw whatever is in their imagination at that moment.

For those who enjoy moving pictures or simply wish to relax and learn something useful at the same time, a comfortable Visual Space offers a series of cartoons by UNESCO for educating children on the topics of heritage and other educational videos on culture, heritage and history. Visitors may also have a look at the list of the top rated educational mobile applications on cultural heritage and history, and try them on their smart devices.

Every visitor is invited to contribute to Art from the Heart, a collective artwork from natural materials created by all participants and visitors throughout the entire event.

An open exhibition of works by the participants of Vilnius – UNESCO 25, a creative project organised by the State Commission for Cultural Heritage Protection in cooperation with the Lithuanian National Commission for UNESCO.

The National Commission for Cultural Heritage, together with the Lithuanian National UNESCO Commission, is organizing the awards ceremony for the participants of the creative project “Vilnius – UNESCO 25”, as well as inviting children and youth to participate in the quiz.

Awards ceremony – 3rd of May (Friday) 13:00 – 15:00, EHU, 2nd floor

Quiz – 4th of May (Saturday) 13:00 – 14:00, EHU, 2nd floor.

Publishing House ‘Aukso žuvys’– presentation of published and to-be published books for children and youth on heritage, history, mythology and getting to know yourself

SUKEISTAS (CHANGELING) by Kotryna Zylė (mystical novel for the youth)

Presentation of the author’s new book for the youth, Sukeistas, insights into the background of this novel; education. The author shares novel writing routines, contemporary writers’ work and her unconventional approach to mythology. Kotryna Zylė is a writer and artist exploring the topics of mythology. Her debut book Milžinas mažylis (The Giant Tot) is among the top five best books for children in 2014; Didžioji būtybių knyga (The Big Book of Creatures) has been awarded the Grand Prize in the 2016 Book Art Competition.

About the book: “Vilnius today. Sixteen-year-olds Gabija and Gedas are students of the School of Arts. They are completely different and both start experiencing strange things. Waking up feelings unexpectedly lead to the clash between the two worlds – the real and the otherworld.”

Recommended for children from the age of 13.

3rd of May (Friday) 11:30 – 12:30, EHU, 1st floor. Workshop for a registered or contest winning group.

VILNIAUS KOMIKSAS (VILNIUS COMIC STRIP) by Justinas Žilinskas, Povilas Jankūnas (historical and architectural adventure)

Presentation of Vilniaus komiksas, book by Povilas Jankūnas and Justinas Žilinskas (to be published in December 2019); education. Vilniaus komiksas, illustrated by young comic strip artist Povilas Jankūnas, is the story of two youngsters who discover Vilnius, their incredible time travelling to the old times of the city, meetings with the most interesting historical characters and exposure to changing urban spaces. The graphic novel is based on the first adventure novel for teenagers by Justinas Žilinskas Mano Vilnius mano (My Vilnius Mine) published in 2015.

In his first book Mano Vilnius mano, Justinas Žilinskas (born in Vilnius in 1974), a famous author of books for the youth, invited to travel through the history of Vilnius with two friends and the main characters of the book – Aistė and Simas. The new graphic novel brings back to life the same old characters known to young readers, tells about important historical events in the capital, interesting personalities, dangers and other intriguing secrets of Vilnius.

Recommended for children from the age of 11.

3rd of May (Friday) 10:00 – 11:00, EHU, 1st floor. Workshop for a registered or contest winning group.

SIBIRO HAIKU (SIBERIAN HAIKU) by Jurga Vilė, Lina Itagaki

Presentation of The Book of the Year SIBIRO HAIKU and educational activities ‘Miestofonas’. The authors tell how this book was born and deliver an unconventional educational session related to new and old urban spaces. The story narrated by Jurga Vilė and Lina Itagaki in Sibiro haiku speaks about the fate of many children like Algiukas as every Lithuanian carries in the heart similar painful family stories about survival in exile – if not written down or drawn, such stories fade into oblivion. Although the book is for children from the age of eight, it can be interesting also for adults.

Recommended for children aged between 8 and 10.

3rd of May (Friday) 11:30 – 12:30, EHU, 1st floor. Workshop for a registered or contest winning group.

‘Gatvės gyvos’ invites children and families to tours, creative workshops and summer camps

Tour “Secrets of Old Vilnius” (recommended for families with children aged between 7 and 10)

The tour will answer the questions: where did the river Vilnelė flow in the past? What is the origin of the narrow streets in the Old Town? How to build a Gothic building? The tour takes you around the most interesting highlights of historical Vilnius. The route runs along the small streets of Old Town and includes visits to important historical buildings as well as stops in cosy courtyards of the Old Vilnius. The route includes fun interactive tasks and many mysterious questions to be answered by all participants together.

4th of May (Saturday) 13:00 – 14:00. Registration needed.

Tour “In Search of the Defensive Wall” (recommended for families with children aged between 11 and 14)

Once upon a time the Old Town of Vilnius was surrounded by a defensive wall that helped the city to protect from enemies. It was destroyed but if you look hard some hidden fragments of the wall can be found even today. Participants will find out why and where it stood, will try their orientation skills and will look for the ancient defensive fortifications in unknown courtyards.

4th of May (Saturday) 11.00 – 12.00. Registration needed.

Cross-crafting workshop as a presentation of cultural day camps

The workshop briefs about the specifics of crosses that adorn church towers and crossroads; participants construct an authentic sun-like cross from wooden parts on their own with the help of a sculptor.

3rd of May (Friday) 18:00 – 19:00, EHU, 1st floor. For families with 7-12 year old children. Registration needed.

Educational architectural workshop for children by Architects Gabrielė and Antanas Šarkauskai (ŠA atelier)

The architectural workshop teaches children how to experiment with spaces through games, discover the relation between new shapes and historical environment. The workshop hosts believe that an opportunity for children to step into the architect’s shoes sparks their curiosity, develops their attentiveness to the environment, creativity and communication as they are shown that combined efforts imagination amazing can produce amazing results.

3rd of May (Friday) 18:00 – 19:00, EHU, 1st floor, Leisure space.

4th of May (Saturday) 11:00 – 12:00, 14:00 – 15:00, 16:00 – 17:00, EHU, 1st floor, Leisure space.

Recommended for 6-12 year old children. Registration needed.

Most popular educational programmes by the Energy and Technology Museum

“Illusion: Science, Mysticism or Deception?”

The educational workshop for participants to learn about illusions, their origin, mirage, pareidolia or artificial perspectives.

3rd of May (Friday) 10:00 – 11:00, EHU, 1st floor. Workshop for a registered or contest winning group.

3rd of May (Friday) 18:00 – 19:00, EHU, 1st floor. Recommended for 10-14 year old students. Registration needed.

“How did the bulb lit up for Tom?”

The educational programme to explore the origin of electric energy, the physical principles of its operation, clarify how can the light switch bring light to home. Each participant may feel a true inventor like Thomas Edison because they can make their own bulb.

3rd of May (Friday) 11:30 – 12:30,EHU, 1st floor. Workshop for a registered or contest winning group.

“Creating Children”, a new educational programme developed by the Museum of Toys specifically for the Fair-Festival Heritas

Educational programme presents CREATIVITY as one of the most fascinating human activities. People always had children, yet people of the 21st century can hardly image what they used to do in those old “gloomy” times. Today, thousands of ready-made toys free us from the need to create and produce on our own. Now such skills are developed in a different way. However, the surviving heritage and research on childhood reveal one of the most important secrets: people have always been creating. Participants have an opportunity to investigate and compare, see how children lived, played, romped around and created.

3rd of May (Friday) 10:00 – 11:00, 11:00 – 12:00, EHU, 1st floor. Workshop for a registered or contest winning group.

4th of May (Saturday) 12:00 – 13:00, 14:00 – 15:00, EHU, 1st floor. Recommended for 6-12 year old children and their families. Registration needed.

Educational programme “Bats and Forts” by Kaunas Fortress Park

Participants are invited to explore what is in common between mysterious bats and forts and find out how to make their own bat from paper.

3rd of May (Friday) 10:00 – 11:00, 11:30 – 12:30, EHU, 1st floor. Workshop for a registered or contest winning group.

4th of May (Saturday) 12:00 – 13:00, 14:00 – 15:00, EHU, 1st floor. Recommended for 6-10 year old children and their families. Registration needed.

Old Town Renewal Agency invites to explore the valuable heritage of the Old Town of Vilnius

Children are invited to listen to an illustrated story which will help revisit seemingly well-known streets of the Old Town of Vilnius, develop a better understanding of heritage, understand why it is protected, what are the most important, beautiful, interesting and valuable elements (streets, squares, yards, towers, castles, churches, houses and their details) inherent in the value of the Old Town of Vilnius, learn more about the old traditions and crafts.

3rd of May (Friday) 10:00 – 11:00, EHU, 1st floor. Workshop for a registered or contest winning group.

Representation of European Commission in Lithuania invites to explore the European history and heritage in educational session “How much do you know about Europe where you live?” 

Representatives of the European Information Office invites for a walk in the interesting and culturally diverse Europe, to learn about the landmarks of Europe, talk about it and take a knowledge test in a game. The unity of Europe is in our diversity!

3rd of May (Friday) 11:30 – 12:30, EHU, 1st floor. Workshop for a registered or contest winning group.

‘Matyta.lt’ – restorers of authentic modern-design furniture from Eastern and Central Europe, invites to join in the creation of wall art from wood strips and scrap

Participants are invited to create an organic wall art from wood strips and different height and colour wood scraps. An opportunity to leave a one-word wish for yourselves, for the team of Heritas, or for the whole Lithuania.

4th of May (Saturday) 12:00 – 13:00, EHU, 1st floor. Recommended for families and children from 3 years. Registration needed.

Archaeology Room

Archaeology is one of the most romantic professions, shrouded in various myths. Society of the Lithuanian Archaeology invites you to discover and get acquainted with this unique scientific study during the fair! Here you will be able to identify archaeological findings, to engage in educational activities and learn ancient crafts, do laboratory tasks, meet archaeologists and ask them any questions you are interested in!

RECOGNIZE AND COGNIZE!

Become an archaeologist’s assistant! In the exposition area you will not find dinosaurs or gold ingots that are usually incorrectly associated with archaeology. Instead, you will see the most common archaeological finds from excavations carried out in Lithuania that reveal long and rich development of human activities and lifestyles through time. These artifacts such as ceramic ware, flake and bone tools, leather and iron items, and textile were made and used by ancient inhabitants from various time periods.

Together with archaeologists you will learn to recognize and cognize these findings, determine the purpose, dating, features or even fashion trends associated with all artifacts.

SEE AND TRY!

Archaeologists are not only digging the soil with shovels – they also use various elaborate devices, spend hours in laboratories, and process information on their computers. We invite you to get acquainted with the subfields of interdisciplinary archaeology through practical work: workshops of archaeobotany will reveal how to identify and distinguish plant remains, activities of zooarchaeology will teach you about faunal remains (animal bones) and workshops of dendrology will show you how to identify wooded plants with microscopes from archaeological sites.

ASK AND FIND OUT!

Everything about archaeology under one roof! Visitors of the fair are invited to participate in consultations with specialists about archaeological research – how to determine when to conduct the research and how to select its’ methodology, what legal regulations are important to know, and any other information, necessary for each project developer or owner (manager) of heritage objects. Specialists at the information desk will try to answer any question, so do not miss a chance to meet with researchers!

ARCHAEOLOGICAL LIBRARY

It is a great opportunity to learn more about archaeology and find out about archaeological objects, results of the excavations, methods that were used and other interesting information for every fan of archaeology, history and cultural heritage of Lithuania.

3rd of May (Friday) 11:30-13:30, Blessed Virgin Mary of Consolation church, 1st floor

History and technology of ceramics “What kind of pots were made and for what purpose they were used in ancient Lithuania?“. Participant: VšĮ “Vilniaus puodžių cechas“.

3rd of May (Friday) 14:00-17:00, Blessed Virgin Mary of Consolation church, 1st floor

Research of archaeological leather findings from Lithuania. Participants will be taught to recognize and determine different types of animal leather, identify details of manufacture and physical parameters of leather goods, carry out graphic drawings of details based on scientific methodology. In addition, researchers will introduce the reconstruction of archaeological leather finds. Participant: archaeologist PhD Arūnas Puškorius.

3rd of May (Friday) 17:00-19:00, Blessed Virgin Mary of Consolation church, 1st floor

Presentation of small glassware production. You will hear the history of glass beads and other small glass items, get a chance to see copies of findings found during archaeological research and to observe how glass beads are being made. Participant: Daiva Tarailienė.

4th of May (Friday) 11:00-14:00, Blessed Virgin Mary of Consolation church, 1st floor

Presentation of  faunal remains (animal bone material), research methods and interpretation of zooarchaeology. Lecturer will reveal the possibilities and importance of animal bone research as well as changing and improving methods applied to examine the lifestyles of ancient communities. Participant: PhD Giedrė Piličiauskienė (Bioarchaeology Research centre of Vilnius University).

4th of May (Friday) 14.00-17.00, Blessed Virgin Mary of Consolation church, 1st floor

Archaeobotany and dendrology. Presentation of possibilities and research methods used to investigate plant and wood remains, analysis of floral material interpretation, practical activities with microscopes. Participant: archaeologist Kęstutis Peseckas (Bioarchaeology Research centre of Vilnius University).

4th of May (Friday) 17.00-19.00, Blessed Virgin Mary of Consolation church, 1st floor

Presentation of ancient bone work. A brief introduction to the history and technology of the craft, material samples. Demostration of various ware reconstructions: needles, pins, charms, beads, combs, needle-cases, salt-cellars, etc. Participant: reconstructor Tomas Abraitis.