On July 2 at 5:30 PM, the Jonas Šliūpas Museum (Vytauto St. 23A, Palanga) will open a new exhibition by the National Museum of Lithuania (LNM) titled “Happy Being Children”. The exhibition will feature photographs by Rimaldas Vikšraitis and ethnographic toys that take visitors back to a childhood where even the simplest things felt magical.

Seeing the World Through a Child’s Eyes Again

Childhood is a unique way of seeing the world. As children, we are intrigued by every new experience: splashing in puddles, handmade toys, even sadness and the first sense of loss. This variety of everyday moments—care from loved ones, childlike imagination, little surprises—shapes who we become.

The exhibition “Happy Being Children” invites visitors to look at the world again as children do: with wonder, curiosity, and imagination. Through traditional ethnographic toys and the photographs of Rimaldas Vikšraitis, the exhibition explores not only what was once important in childhood, but also what we might still long for today.

Curator Dr. Jolanta Bernotaitytė explains: “This exhibition speaks of a childhood that didn’t need expensive technology or trendy accessories. A time when games were created from whatever was on hand, and happiness lived in the imagination. When you’re a child, every little piece of the world seems mysterious and fascinating. The photographs and ethnographic toys in the exhibition invite us to return to that state, where simple things brought the greatest joy.”

Childhood in Vikšraitis’ Photographs

Although childhood is a relatively small theme in Rimaldas Vikšraitis’ work, it remains a powerful one. His photos capture the lives of children in rural areas—lives that are poor but real, unembellished. Time in his images flows slowly, as if it stands still. At times, it feels as though these are scenes from a distant past, even though many were taken just a few decades ago.

Vikšraitis has a rare talent for capturing not only the beauty of a child’s world but also the child’s relationship with their surroundings, family, and daily life. Sometimes staged, sometimes ironic, his photos always remain sincere and empathetic. His images leave no one indifferent—everyone sees a piece of themselves in them.

As J. Bernotaitytė puts it: “This is not just an exhibition—it’s an invitation to a dialogue—with yourself, your family, with generations past. It awakens memories, evokes longing, and opens the door to conversations about what truly matters. And it reminds us: though time moves on, a child’s way of seeing the world can live within us for a lifetime.”

During the exhibition, a discussion will be held about Rimaldas Vikšraitis’ work, focusing on his portrayals of the often unseen or unspoken everyday life behind the scenes of society. Participants will include art historian and curator Danguolė Ruškienė and photographer Gintaras Česonis, director of the Kaunas Photography Gallery. There will also be creative workshops where visitors can make traditional toys.

The opening of the “Happy Being Children” exhibition at the Jonas Šliūpas Museum will take place on July 2 at 5:30 PM. Rimaldas Vikšraitis, the author of the exhibition, as well as curators Dr. Jolanta Bernotaitytė and Lina Bukauskienė, will participate in the event. Young visitors will be entertained by the junior performers of the “Kopų kaukės” theatre studio from the Palanga Students’ Club (led by Milginta Palubinskaitė).