On June 13, Kaunas Ninth Fort Museum invites you to the artistic evening “Garden of June 2025”. This year’s program will combine literature, contemporary dance and music. The event will feature the presentation of Algis Vyšniūnas’ latest book, a performance by the Kaunas Dance Theatre “Aura”, and the musical compositions of the band “Baltos varnos”, Kazimieras Likša and other performers. Let’s gather in the “Garden of June” on June 13, 2025!

The event is free, no registration is required.

PROGRAMME

17.00–18.30 Meeting with Algis Vyšniūnas and the presentation of his latest book (in Lithuanian)

18.30–21.20 Creative path for children

19.00–19.45 Kaunas Dance Theatre “Aura” performance “I Wish to Be the Blossom of a Fern”

20.00–21.20 Sung Poetry | “Baltos varnos”, Kazimieras Likša, Rugilė Balandytė, Pijus Mašutko and Dominyka Kairytė

BOOK PRESENTATION (in Lithuanian). Architecture professor, author of historical books Algis Vyšniūnas will present his book about the Kengir uprising, published this year. After the restoration of Lithuania’s independence, A. Vyšniūnas has organised several expeditions to the places of deportation and imprisonment of Lithuanian residents: Kazakhstan, Magadan, Yakutia, and led the “Mission Siberia” project to Kazakhstan and Tajikistan. During the meeting at the museum, the author will talk about the shocking history of the Kengir uprising and the book’s writing process. What happened in the Kengir camp and what lessons of strength can we learn? All about this – at the meeting with A. Vyšniūnas.

Location – Kaunas Ninth Fort Museum event hall (Žemaičių pl. 73).

DANCE PERFORMANCE. Kaunas Dance Theatre “Aura” will invite you to reflect on the relationship between humans and trees. Inspired by nature, the dance performance “I Wish to Be the Blossom of a Fern” talks about trees, or about people who are vital to each other in order to communicate, breathe, act, survive, and relentlessly seek their fern flower. Professional dancers will perform in the green apple orchard, thus encouraging everyone to reflect on their personal connection with nature, themselves and the past.

Location – Kaunas Ninth Fort Memorial Complex apple orchard. The dance performance will take place outdoors, so we recommend choosing clothing according to the weather conditions and bringing a blanket or a folding chair.

SUNG POETRY. The message of memory and hope will be sent by the musical compositions selected specifically for the event and performed by the band “Baltos varnos”, Kazimieras Likša, Rugilė Balandytė, Pijus Mašutko and Dominyka Kairytė.

Location – Kaunas Ninth Fort Memorial Complex apple orchard. Sung poetry performances will take place outdoors, so we recommend choosing clothing according to the weather conditions and bringing a blanket or a folding chair.

The traditional artistic evening “Garden of June” was declared the event of the year by the Lithuanian Museum Association in 2023. “Garden of June” is dedicated to commemorating the Day of Mourning and Hope – it reminds us of the mass deportation of Lithuanian residents to the harshest regions of the USSR, which began on June 14, 1941. The event becomes a symbolic link between the past and the present, inviting everyone to stop and think about Freedom, Homeland and those who were forcibly deported.

The event is public, it will be filmed and photographed. By participating in the event, you agree to be seen in the event photos and videos, and you are informed that these photos and videos may be published publicly.

The event is organised by Kaunas Ninth Fort Museum
Funded by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania
Information partners: LRT, “Kauno diena”, “OWEXX”, “2GO”, “Prie kavos”, “Forum Cinemas”, AKROPOLIS Kaunas, radio “Tau”
Partners: “Slowdown”, “Fruterija”