“One must carry light within oneself, to shine through the darkness for those standing along the way, so that, seeing it, they too may find light within themselves and follow their own path, no longer standing in the dark.”
This is a quote by painter, composer and cultural figure Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis.
On Monday, 22 September, Lithuania celebrates the 150th anniversary of his birth.
Čiurlionis was born on September 22, 1875 in Senoji Varėna. He died on April 10, 1911 near Warsaw and is buried at Rasos Cemetery in Vilnius.
His legacy spans graphic art and painting, choral, piano, symphonic and chamber music, as well as pieces for organ and a small number of literary works. He was also actively involved in Lithuanian cultural and public life.
To mark his 150th anniversary, LRT.lt interviewed art experts, who said Čiurlionis and his work offers strength and inspiration to this day. They hope that he will continue to be rediscovered by Lithuanians and the rest of the world.
'It is impossible to be uninterested in Čiurlionis'
Art historian Aušra Romanovaitė-Česnulevičienė, who has dedicated much of her work to preserving Čiurlionis’ memory, said living in Druskininkai, surrounded by traces of his presence, feels like a privilege.
“I have lived here for two decades. To me it is a privilege – to live in a town where every place bears Čiurlionis’ footsteps. Not to feel him, not to be interested in him, seems simply impossible,” she told LRT.lt.
Romanovaitė-Česnulevičienė, who leads tours about the artist’s life, said all her activities are devoted to him. She sees herself as a medium between manuscripts, correspondence, literature and those who wish to understand the places of his birth and creativity.
“It is part of my daily life, my celebrations, my walks. Whatever I discover, I share with visitors of all ages, from the youngest to the oldest,” she said.
She noted that Čiurlionis’ name is also known internationally. “In his brief but extraordinarily rich 35 years, he travelled constantly and was always eager for knowledge. I hope everyone retains that hunger – always striving for learning, motivation and curiosity,” she said.
Romanovaitė-Česnulevičienė said she is pleased by the increased interest in Čiurlionis during his anniversary year but hopes the desire to know him will not fade in the years to come.
'He makes us look deeper'
Daina Kamarauskienė, director general of the National M. K. Čiurlionis Museum of Art, said the artist has held an important place in her life since childhood.
“At our art school it was customary to go to the Čiurlionis exhibition, to sit there and meditate. At the time it was fashionable, but also genuinely interesting. That is where my fascination with him began,” she said.
She believes Čiurlionis is an artist worth returning to repeatedly: “He holds inexhaustible depths – inspirations and ideas that become relevant at different moments. This anniversary is wonderful, but if people engaged with him more often, they would gain immense value for themselves.”
Marking his anniversary, she urged Lithuania to maintain its sense of identity and resilience: “We must uphold a strong backbone, a clear understanding of who we are, to withstand provocations and attempts to undermine us. Čiurlionis fought tirelessly for this, and remembering him is vital – especially today.”
'A liberating figure'
Dainius Numgaudis, director of the National M. K. Čiurlionis School of Arts, recalled that a portrait of the artist has accompanied him since childhood.
“When I began school, Čiurlionis’ centenary was being celebrated, and his portraits adorned the covers of exercise books and the classroom walls. [...] I would tape simple reproductions of his paintings to a windowpane and gaze at them from the floor, feeling as if the sky and the image of the painting merged into one.”
Years later, while serving in Lithuania’s diplomatic corps abroad, he found himself needing to speak about Čiurlionis. “I grew tired of constantly saying ‘a famous Lithuanian painter and composer.’ That was when I realised that Čiurlionis is, for me, a liberating presence. He is the kind of artist whose paintings seem to merge with the sky, the kind of performer who makes you hold your breath for a single chord, and who sends your thoughts drifting into infinity,” he summarized.
The culmination of a year of celebrations
On September 22, a series of events will crown a year-long programme, Čiurlionis 150, coordinated by the Government Chancellery.
Schools across the country will hold special lessons based on materials prepared by the Education Ministry. Employers are encouraged to dedicate the day to creativity and cultural development.
On Monday, people are also encouraged to take part in the national campaign Greet Čiurlionis, while the Government will honour individuals who have helped preserve his legacy. Additionally, Lithuania Post will issue commemorative stamps, and the Bank of Lithuania will release a special coin in his honour.
Earlier this year Vilnius Airport was officially named after Čiurlionis. On his birthday, the departure terminal will be lit up with an installation featuring a symbolic reproduction of his autograph.
The day will conclude with a gala concert, The World’s Piano Stars Greet Čiurlionis (Pasaulio fortepijono žvaigždės sveikina Čiurlionį), at the Lithuanian National Philharmonic, broadcast on LRT PLIUS and LRT KLASIKA.
LRT PLIUS will also show a theatrical mystery, The Mystical Čiurlionis (Mistinis Čiurlionis), the rock fantasy Čiurlionis REX, documentaries Čiurlionis after Čiurlionis (Čiurlionis po Čiurlionio) and Cloud Ship (Debesies laivu), and dance performances The Sea (Jūra) and The Creation of the World (Pasaulio sutvėrimas).
Meanwhile, LRT KLASIKA will air a special programme from morning until late evening, including a documentary series, The Čiurlionis Family (Čiurlioniai), exploring the environment in which his talents as a composer and painter flourished.
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