The reading of literature is increasingly happening on screens. According to the portal ibiblioteka.lt, last year almost 28 thousand e-books were published in Lithuania – almost 15 percent more than the year before. The development of digital reading encourages us to ask how to preserve the connection with the physical book. The Lithuanian National Museum’s children’s exhibition “Book Dragon: A Fantastic Story about the Beauty of Books” invites us to reflect on the beauty, materiality and reading experience of a book, opening on March 18 at 6 p.m. at the Kazys Varnelis House-Museum.

An Exhibition for Children, Families, and Book Lovers

The unexpected guide of the exhibition is the character Ugnius Slibinas. Coming from an old family of book burners, one day he discovers a hidden treasure of books in his parents’ house. Fascinated by their beauty and secrets, Ugnius learns to read and becomes a true fan of books. Through his curious and playful gaze, visitors are invited to discover the beauty of a book and learn how it is born – what materials it is made of, how it is printed, illustrated and bound, says Indrė Urbelytė, the author of the exhibition idea and curator.

“The exhibition is primarily intended for children, but it is conceived as an experience for the whole family and book lovers. The exhibition features seven thematic stops dedicated to learning about printing, binding, materials, illustrations, the history of the blind and art, and bookplates. The exhibit at the latter stop inspired the character of our exhibition and publication – the book dragon Ugnius. Following Ugnius’ instructions, you will be able to print out your own book page – try out different fonts and illustrations,” says I. Urbelytė.

The exhibition is designed as an experiential educational space that encourages curiosity and interest in reading. The exhibition’s friend – the Vilnius County Adomas Mickevičius Public Library – also contributes to this initiative.

Both at the Kazys Varnelis House-Museum and at the Vilnius County A. Mickevičius Public Library, young readers will be able to get acquainted with the accompanying exhibition book of the same name. It tells the story of Ugnius Slibinas and the adventures of Jurga, a girl who learned to read, in the world of book knowledge, created by artist Reda Tomingas and exhibition curator I. Urbelytė.

“We are happy to  have become friends through the exhibition teaching about the history of books. We are convinced that every child deserves to learn to read in time, to get to know the world of literature, and to feel the joy of reading. By cooperating with the Kazys Varnelis House-Museum, we hope to help families discover the work of talented contemporary Lithuanian writers and illustrators,” says Odeta Maziliauskienė, chief librarian for work with children at the Vilnius County A. Mickevičius Public Library.

The Path of a Book From an Inked Printing Press to a Cozy Home Library

According to I. Urbelytė, visitors to the upcoming exhibition will be able to learn how book pages emerge from a printing press, how words are composed of metal letters, and how different fonts have formed over the centuries.

“In the exhibition, we briefly and clearly tell about the development of book culture. The visual and interactive elements of the exhibition make it possible to understand how much technological solutions, handwork and creativity lie behind each book. The exposition begins with a story about materials – from old parchments and paper that came to Europe from China, to metal bindings and precious stone decor. The work of a bookbinder is also presented – how individual leaves become a gilded book,” says the exhibition curator.

I. Urbelytė adds that the exhibition also presents the tradition of bibliophilia and the culture of personal libraries: visitors will be able to get acquainted with the library of the famous artist and collector Kazys Varnelis.

“K. Varnelis accumulated more than 9,500 books during his life, and some of the most interesting and rarely seen publications for the general public are displayed at the exhibition. This personal library of the artist reminds us that books can become not only an important source of knowledge, but also exceptional artistic monuments and keepers of cultural memory,” notes the exhibition curator.

The exhibition “Book Dragon. A Fantastic Story about the Beauty of Books” opens at the K. Varnelis House-Museum of the National Museum of Lithuania on March 18 at 18:00 and will be open until September 27, 2026. Information partner – JCDecaux. The exhibition publication is supported by the paper manufacturer Arctic Paper, in cooperation with the paper distributor Papyrus.