“Čiurlionis in Japan”: about
Programme: “Čiurlionis in Japan”
Duration: February 21, 2025 – June 14, 2026
VR “Trail of Angels”: Until August 30, 2026
Implemented by: Cultural Attaché of the Republic of Lithuania in Japan Gabija Čepulionytė, Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania in Tokyo, Lithuanian Culture Institute.
Main Goal: To increase the awareness of Lithuanian culture in Japan. To establish new and strengthen existing long-term partnerships between Lithuanian and Japanese cultural institutions and professionals.
Programming Principles: Marking the 150th anniversary of M.K. Čiurlionis’ birth, a retrospective exhibition featuring paintings, drawings, sketches, and musical manuscripts is being organized in Japan after a 34-year hiatus. The exhibition will take place at the National Museum of Western Art, the only national museum dedicated to Western art in the Asian region. The programme includes lectures and guided tours by experts from the M.K. Čiurlionis National Museum of Art and curators from the Tokyo museum.
The accompanying events at the National Museum of Western Art aim to reveal the multifaceted work and personality of the eminent artist, as well as his influence on contemporary creators and interpreters. The programme will also present works by contemporary Lithuanian and Japanese composers and the virtual reality film “Trail of Angels.”
Geography: Tokyo, Kyoto, Kanazawa.
Fields of Activity: Visual arts, music, virtual reality projects.
Artists, Ensembles, and Cultural Professionals: Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra, conductor and soloist Sergej Krylov; Dr. Virginija Vitkienė, Director of the M.K. Čiurlionis National Museum of Art; Vaiva Laukaitienė, Head of the M.K. Čiurlionis Collections Department; Harpist Joana Daunytė; Pianist and great-grandson of M.K. Čiurlionis, Rokas Zubovas; Pianist Sonata Deveikytė-Zubovienė; Contemporary music ensemble “Synaesthesis” (Marta Finkelštein, Simonas Kaupinis, Arminas Bižys, Artūras Kažimėkas, Monika Kiknadzė, Arnas Kmieliauskas); Composer Dominykas Digimas.
Partners in Japan: The National Museum of Western Art, Tokyo Spring Festival, Japan Federation of Composers, Toho College of Music, Nordic Cultural Society, Japan-Lithuania Friendship Association, Society for Connecting Kanazawa and Lithuania, St. Mary’s Cathedral (Tokyo), Higashi Hongan-ji Temple (Kyoto).
Lithuanian Organizations: Lithuanian National Philharmonic Society, M.K. Čiurlionis National Museum of Art, Čiurlionis House, Vilnius Spring Festival / St. Christopher Chamber Orchestra, Oniroco Studios.