Childhood is a time when the world glows with wonder. Every puddle, every toy, every fleeting moment feels like a discovery. And yet, as adults, we often find ourselves asking—why were we in such a hurry to grow up? Childhood, after all, was a magical season full of simple joys and deep meaning.

This exhibition invites you into the world of photographer Rimaldas Vikšraitis and a collection of traditional handmade toys—artifacts of a vanishing past. These photographs and objects speak not only of what once was, but of timeless truths. Though the memories may seem distant, they quietly hold a wisdom we too often overlook. We’re reminded how much happiness can be found in something as small as splashing through a puddle or holding a toy lovingly carved by hand. Even a child’s first brush with sadness becomes a lesson in resilience, shaped by care, creativity, and moments of unexpected beauty.

Through these echoes of the past—both visual and tangible—we’re invited to remember, to feel, and to speak. For some, this may spark an inner reflection; for others, a conversation between generations. The past becomes present in these images and artifacts, inviting us to reconsider what it truly means to have a happy childhood. And perhaps we’ll realize that it lies not in possessions, but in freedom, imagination, and the love that surrounds us.

The exhibition at the Jonas Šliūpas Museum (Vytauto St. 23A, Palanga) will open on 2 July 2025 at 5.30 PM.

Organizer
National Museum of Lithuania

Partner
Lithuanian Photographers Association

Info partner
Delfi

Creative Team

Curators:
dr. Jolanta Bernotaitytė
Lina Bukauskienė

Coordinator
Nijolė Laužikienė

Architect
Giedrė Narbutienė

Graphic Designer
Jurga Karosaitė

Editor
Nijolė Deveikienė

Translators:
Darius Sužiedėlis
Laura Vilbikaitytė

Accompanying Events Organizer
Algina Vainilavičienė

Communication Coordinator
Akvilė Matulionytė