Photos: Silvestras Samsonas, NML

While we are children, we see the world differently. New experiences and the joys of discovery make childhood truly rich and bright. However, as the years go by, we are nostalgically surprised: why did we always want to grow up faster? It was so interesting and good!

The ethnographic toys and the work of photographer Rimaldas Vikšraitis presented at the exhibition speak of a disappearing past. Yesterday is still alive in our memory, but we are moving away from it more and more, almost not noticing and not appreciating the wisdom accumulated in it. We should rejoice, not be surprised, at how much happiness handmade toys or simply splashing in a puddle bring to children, we should not be afraid when children learn to survive sadness − that variety of care from loved ones, childish ingenuity and surprises has always been a tool for building a solid foundation for personality.

Using testimonies of the past − authentic objects and photographs − let us awaken memories and longing, let us open the door to a conversation about the past and human values. It can be a silent conversation with oneself. It can turn into a dialogue within a narrow family circle. It can develop into a multifaceted discussion between interlocutors from different generations and different pasts, depending on who sees what, recognizes it, and how much they are moved. The opportunity to touch artifacts preserved in one form or another allows us to believe that the path to a happy childhood is measured primarily by the child’s inner freedom and imagination.

Photos: Silvestras Samsonas, NML

The exhibition at the Jonas Šliūpas Museum (Vytauto g. 23A, Palanga) opens on July 2, 2025 at 5:30 p.m.

Exhibition organizer
National Museum of Lithuania

Partner
Lithuanian Photographers Association

Information partner
Delfi

Creative group

Curators:
Dr. Jolanta Bernotaitytė, Lina Bukauskienė

Coordinator
Nijolė Laužikienė

Architect
Giedrė Narbutienė

Graphic designer
Jurga Karosaitė

Text editor
Nijolė Deveikienė

Text translators
Darius Sužiedėlis
Laura Vilbikaitytė

Organizer of the accompanying events program
Algina Vainilavičienė

Communication coordinator
Akvilė Matulionytė