Saturday – not for barbecues, but for the museum.

International Museum Day, celebrated on May 18th, is marked in 150 countries worldwide, and on that day, museums in Lithuania open their doors to the public for free. The "Museum Night," organized nationwide for 19 years, is also traditionally held in Tauragė. The Tauragė Regional Museum "Santaka" announces its Museum Night program, which is rich in variety and abundance. This year, in addition to exhibitions and educational activities, there will be plenty of music in the Tauragė Castle. Moreover, according to museum director Eglė Červinskaitė, visitors are invited to stay longer this weekend.

"Last year, we noticed that visitors were in no hurry to leave after the evening program, so this year the castle gates will be open until midnight. The weather forecast for Saturday is promising, and we promise plenty of interesting and engaging activities along with a good dose of great music. So hurry to the museum instead of barbecuing this Saturday!" invites the museum director.

During the annual event, residents of Tauragė and visitors to the city can visit exhibitions and participate in workshops and educational activities for free.

"From 8 to 10 PM, we will open photography and restorer workshops where sessions and educational activities will take place, with opportunities to try analog photography and 'test' restorer tools, as well as interactive museum exhibits, VR glasses, and exhibitions throughout the evening," listed the museum director.

The KVADRATU Festival Begins

Museum Night visitors will also be the first to participate in the events of the "Kvadratu" festival, held for the sixth year. Did you know that museum curator and historian Darius Kiniulis collects old video game consoles? During Museum Night, there will be a unique opportunity to see the collection "Computers of the 90s" and even try some of the consoles! At 5 PM, the author will present this one-day interactive exhibition at the Museum's Education Center, and curious visitors will be welcome until the end of the evening program. At 6 PM, a contemporary sculpture exhibition "Conversion" by sculptor Rafal Piesliak, curated by the (AV17) gallery, will be opened in the castle halls.

According to museum director and festival coordinator E. Červinskaitė, the start of the festival coincides with Museum Night this year, and the full program is ready and will be announced soon.

Moreover, during Museum Night weekend, visitors will have the last chance to see the exhibition "Petronėlė Gerlikienė: Creating – Being Free!" in the museum’s exhibition hall, and the Photography Gallery with Lev Žiriakov's exhibition "Creators" will be open.

The Tauragė Regional Museum "Santaka" announces that activities will also take place in its branches – at 2 PM, a free tour of the Museum of Exile and Resistance is planned. Afterward, those who registered in advance can try the exclusive education "KGB Interrogation Techniques" – be warned, this activity requires very steady nerves. Registration is by phone at +370 655 56 300.

The Skaudvilė Regional Museum also invites to celebrate this special occasion for museums – teams from communities and institutions are welcome at 4 PM at the A. Čepauskas Gallery for an intense quiz. At 7 PM, everyone is invited to the museum attic – for the first time, visitors will be allowed into this unique space.

Jazz Revelations in the Castle

On May 18th, another traditional initiative, Street Music Day, will be held across Lithuania. It is hoped that the concert program at the Castle will become the final chord of the day’s hustle and bustle in the city, making the most prominent building in the city – Tauragė Castle – a magnet for the evening.

Therefore, on Saturday at 7 PM, visitors to the Castle courtyard and museum night owls will hear the Tauragė Cultural Center jazz orchestra. At 8 PM, Agnė Sabulytė and Povilas Jaraminas will perform "Golden Era," featuring well-known jazz classics – the most popular jazz melodies of the 20th century, works from the 1920s-1950s that later became jazz standards. Performer A. Sabulytė says that exploring the golden era of jazz with jazz maestro Povilas Jaraminas is much more daring and very interesting for her.

"I am happy to touch this music of extraordinary beauty and depth that is timeless, captivating with its genius simplicity, enchanting subtleties. Music that inspires the soul to smile, inspires belief even when sad clouds cover the sky, and the personalities who created and performed it are the greatest teachers for improvement. It only remains to listen, hear, learn from a creative partner with many years of experience, and pass it through your inner world. We look forward to welcoming everyone who is fond of jazz classics," says A. Sabulytė.

By the way, Tauragė residents remember A. Sabulytė from last year's KVADRATU festival performance "Axis Code," but that time the professional vocalist performed opera music.

Later, on the Castle courtyard stage, the duo "Keista bjauri žuvis" (Weird Ugly Fish) chosen by the "Tauragė Jazz" festival will perform. This special duet of Aistė Kalvelytė and Julius Čepukėnas will start their performance at 9 PM.

"We want to contribute to Street Music Day, to jazz. This time it will be a synergy with the museum. A duo from Vilnius will perform. Our choice is simple – we set ourselves the mission to educate the listener, not just cater to them by taking the most popular jazz performers," said "Tauragė Jazz" festival organizer Valdas Latoža about the upcoming concert. "We want to broaden the listeners' horizons. Jazz can be improvisational, utilizing electronics. It is an honor and pleasure for us to host such a duo as 'Keista bjauri žuvis.'"

Each year, moments from this festival are captured by photographers from the Tauragė Photography Club "Fotojūra," and the best shots are exhibited. During Museum Night, you will be able to see moments from the jazz festival concerts.

Museum director E. Červinskaitė was pleased that this year's Museum Night is supported by numerous partners: Tauragė District Municipality, Street Music Day (GMD), Tauragė Jazz festival, Tauragė Art School, Tauragė Cultural Center. The event is financed by Tauragė District Municipality.

Moreover, on Museum Night, Tauragė residents are invited not only to enjoy the prepared program for free but also to try out the profession of a museum worker. Museum director E. Červinskaitė is delighted that there is active youth in Tauragė, and 25 volunteers will assist during the event.

Tauragė region museum SANTAKA information.