On 4 February, the National Museum of Lithuania opened its major exhibition of the year at the House of Histories in Vilnius – “A Soul Between Worlds. Indigenous Ainu in Northern Japan and Ethnographer Bronisław Piłsudski”. The opening brought together distinguished guests from Lithuania, Japan, Poland and the United Kingdom.

The debut of Ainu culture in Lithuania

“A Soul Between Worlds” is the first international exhibition in Lithuania dedicated to presenting both traditional and contemporary Ainu culture. Through traditional and contemporary art, authentic historical artefacts and archival material, visitors are introduced to the Ainu worldview, spiritual beliefs and the endangered Ainu language.

The opening was attended by distinguished guests from Japan, Poland and the United Kingdom, while DJ Ryo Ishimoto from Hokkaido performed Ainu songs. Guests were welcomed by Ambassador of Japan to Lithuania Shinsuke Shimizu, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the Republic of Poland Grzegorz Marek Poznański, Director of the Nibutani Ainu Culture Museum Yoshihiro Osada, Director of the Józef Piłsudski Museum in Sulejówek Dr Robert Andrzejczyk, and Director General of the National Museum of Lithuania Dr Rūta Kačkutė.

The exhibition was developed in cooperation with Ainu memory institutions in Japan – the Nibutani Ainu Culture Museum and the Upopoy National Ainu Museum and Park. At the opening, Dr Kačkutė emphasised the importance of collaboration and authentic storytelling: “It is an honour for the National Museum of Lithuania to present, for the first time in the country and on this scale, the culture of the Ainu people and the unique story of Bronisław Piłsudski’s life and research. At the same time, it is a responsibility we take seriously. For a long time, Ainu history was told by others. It is important for us to hear it from the Ainu themselves. That is why we developed this exhibition together with their museums and curator Dr Kanako Uzawa – because only in this way can the narrative be credible and true,” she said.

Connecting Lithuania, Poland and Japan

A central part of the exhibition focuses on Bronisław Piłsudski. Suspected by the Russian Empire of involvement in an attempt on the Tsar’s life, he was exiled to Sakhalin. There, he began researching local communities and eventually became one of the most significant ethnographers and anthropologists of the Ainu people.

The exhibition marks the 160th anniversary of Bronisław Piłsudski’s birth. It will run at the House of Histories until 2 August and will travel in September to the Józef Piłsudski Museum in Sulejówek, Poland.

“Bronisław Piłsudski is a figure who connects Lithuania, Poland and Japan. This is only one of the remarkable aspects of his life. He was a truly multifaceted personality. His achievements in ethnography, natural sciences, museology, education and international politics remain significant for our societies. Thanks to this international exhibition, visitors from Lithuania, Poland and other countries will have the opportunity to learn more about his activities in the Far East and discover the culture of the Ainu people,” said Dr Robert Andrzejczyk during the opening.

Public programme accompanying the exhibition

The exhibition is accompanied by an extensive public programme designed for audiences of different ages and interests. On 5 February at 5 pm, the House of Histories will host the international discussion “Ethnography and Representation: Bronisław Piłsudski and the Ainu”. Participants will include Associate Professor Dr Andrzej Pukszto, Dr Kanako Uzawa, Dr Jadwiga Rodowicz-Czechowska, Professor Emeritus Dr Alfred Majewicz, Dr Danuta Onyszkiewicz and Simon Wright. The discussion will be moderated by Associate Professor Dr Kristina Jonutytė.

During the exhibition period, the House of Histories will screen the films “Ainu Mosir”, “Songs of Kamui”, “Ripples of Physis”, “Ainu: Indigenous People of Japan”, “Ainu Puri” and “Ukoapkas”. Meetings with experts and filmmakers will also take place. At the Vilnius Book Fair, Professor Dr Kazuhito Sawada’s monograph “Bronisław Piłsudski: The Man Called the King of the Ainu” will be presented, alongside the children’s book “A Soul Between Worlds” written by exhibition co-curator Simona Širvydaitė-Šliupienė and a special issue of the magazine “Dailė” dedicated to the exhibition.

This year, the House of Histories will host two Ainu Culture Weekends: the first from 27 February to 1 March, and the second on 2–3 July. The programme will include creative workshops, Ainu dance and literature performances, film screenings, lectures by international experts and guided tours. Information about the events is available and regularly updated on the museum’s website lnm.lt.

The international exhibition “A Soul Between Worlds” is on view at the House of Histories of the National Museum of Lithuania (3 T. Kosciuškos St., Vilnius). The exhibition is organised by the National Museum of Lithuania and the Józef Piłsudski Museum in Sulejówek. Financial supporters include Biratori Town Municipality in Japan, The Japan Foundation, the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania, the Polish Institute in Vilnius and the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Vilnius. More information is available at lnm.lt.