Exposition of Vincas Kudirka Museum

The Vincas Kudirka Museum is the first new museum of the restored Republic of Lithuania dedicated to famous figure of the Lithuanian National Revival and author of the state anthem Dr. Vincas Kudirka. It is no coincidence that the museum was established in Kudirkos Naumiestis as this is where Vincas Kudirka lived and worked, and where the National Song, later to become the state anthem was created. The museum opened its doors on December 5, 1998 in commemoration of the 100^th anniversary of the creation of the anthem and the 140^th birth anniversary of Dr. Vincas Kudirka. The period of national awakening, during which Vincas Kudirka lived and worked, determined the theme of the museum exposition. The exposition presents the history of the region and the activities of the editors, contributors, publishers, supporters and distributors of a monthly Lithuanian newspaper Varpas (Eng. The Bell) referred to as the Varpininkai. The knowledge of the history of the nation is directly related to the aspirations of the restoration of statehood.

History of Kudirkos Naumiestis (1^st Floor)

The models of the 13^th century castle and mound as well as a model of a furnace reveal the early development stage of the town, whereas the maps illustrate the development of its administrative dependence. The old images of Wladyslawow, the 1859 patrol road plan of the frontier guards of the Wladyslawow crossing point, a headscarf smuggled from Schirwindt, a tin to carry spirit across the border, and an agreed token of booksmugglers, i.e. a scapular, testify the peculiarities of a border town. The life of the town in an independent Lithuania is also widely revealed. Special attention is paid to the bright people of the region. Documents, photographs, memorial items, and publications reflect the life and activities of linguist Jonas Jablonskis, pedagogue and writer Pranas Masiotas, signatory of the Act of Independence of Lithuania Justinas Staugaitis, philosopher Pranas Kuraitis, sociologist Pranas Dielininkaitis, writer Petronele Orintaite, and other distinguished people of this region.

Varpininkai and Vincas Kudirka (2^nd Floor)

The displayed documents, photographs and authentic publications reveal the historical situation that had determined the emergence of the Varpininkai movement. The exposition presents the policy of national oppression of Vilnius General Governor, suppressor of the 1863 Uprising Mikhail Muravyov who introduced “Grazhdanka” in Lithuania, and highlights the activities of Bishop of Samogitia Motiejus Valancius who initiated the struggle against Russification and took care of book publication in Prussia and their distribution in Lithuania. Moreover, the history of the establishment and distribution of the Varpas, and the activities of distributors of Lithuanian press – booksmugglers – is revealed in great detail on the second floor of the museum. Also, the exposition displays the documents, publications and photographs of an illegal association of Lithuanian students in Warsaw Lietuva and the Varpininkai who continued the activities of the association.

In the exposition, the greatest attention is paid to the personality of Dr. Vincas Kudirka. Manuscript facsimiles, original works and translations, other documents revealing the life of a famous ideologist of the Lithuanian National Revival, the inspirer and nurturer of the Varpininkai movement, and the creator of the National Song are exhibited.