Opening of the photography exhibition of the project "Against the Background of Old Crafts"

On the evening of August 14, 2025, the halls of Kuršėnai Manor filled with lively chatter, smiles, and a special festive spirit – the photography exhibition “Against the Background of Ancient Crafts” was opened here. Participants of the project, guests, and community members shared warm words and gratitude with the staff of the Šiauliai District Municipality’s Center for Ethnic Culture and Traditional Crafts, whose efforts revived ancient crafts and gave them new meaning.

The celebration was attended by distinguished guests – Deputy Mayor of Šiauliai District Municipality Mindaugas Sadauskas, Member of the Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania Rima Baškienė, Member of the Parliament Eimantas Kirkutis, linguist and educator Stasys Tumėnas, council members Vaida Gricienė and Algis Mačiulis, as well as representatives of the Agricultural Agency under the Ministry of Agriculture. Their greetings and encouraging words further strengthened the spirit of togetherness at the event.

About the exhibition “Against the Background of Ancient Crafts”

Back in May of this year, more than two hundred students from Kuršėnai and residents of Šeduva Care Home had the opportunity to take part in creative workshops, educational sessions, and study trips. They became acquainted with ancient crafts – ceramics, wood carving, weaving, and braiding with willow and birch bark. Experienced craftsmen and folk artists from Kuršėnai, Naisiai, Plungė, Telšiai, and Mažeikiai gladly shared their knowledge with the younger generation, and the first works created by the students’ hands became living witnesses of tradition.

The project began with “Ceramics Days” at the Šiauliai District Municipality’s Center for Ethnic Culture and Traditional Crafts, where students modeled clay products and later glazed them together with the 7th King of Lithuanian Potters, Algimantas Tamašauskas, and folk artist Alina Milašienė. Another stage of “Ceramics Days” was a meeting with the 10th King of Lithuanian Potters, Mindaugas Turolevičius, in Naisiai, where the master demonstrated to the children the Raku firing technique. The aim of “Ceramics Days” was to reveal the mysteries of the bond between humans and clay, and to introduce young people to the possibilities of working with clay.

The second project week was devoted to wood carving. Participants learned the secrets of this craft from folk artists Raimondas Baškys and Viktoras Raibužis. During the sessions, the experienced masters not only demonstrated how traditional wooden spoons and clogs are made but also gave the participants the chance to try the craft themselves.

During the third week, participants explored the craft of weaving. To learn more, students traveled to Viešvėnai in the Telšiai District, where weaver Virginija Dirvonskienė introduced them to the path of flax – “From Seed to Patterned Cloth.” She explained the journey of flax from seed to linen fabric and treated them to freshly baked rye bread and mint tea.

The exploration of weaving continued at the Šiauliai District Municipality’s Center for Ethnic Culture and Traditional Crafts, where master craftswoman Birutė Poškienė welcomed participants with bundles of yarn prepared for hand-weaving. The educational session continued in her old-style cottage, where traditional looms stood as silent witnesses of past generations.

The final week of the project was devoted to willow and birch bark weaving. To learn these crafts, students visited the Šiauliai District Municipality’s Center for Ethnic Culture and Traditional Crafts and Mažeikiai. In the creative workshop “Weaving with Willows”, traditional crafts master Marytė Janulienė shared her knowledge, taught the children weaving techniques, introduced various woven products – from household baskets to decorative items – and demonstrated them. In practice, the participants wove “little suns.”

In Mažeikiai, experienced birch bark artisans Raimonda and Vytautas Ramanauskas introduced students to the versatility of birch wood and its importance in Lithuanian traditional crafts and daily life. In the practical session, each participant crafted a shepherd’s whistle and a hand-massaging pendant from birch bark.

All of these activities were captured in photographs that reflect not only moments of work but also bright glances, the joy of togetherness, and the bond with the heritage of the past. These very photos are now presented at Kuršėnai Manor.

We sincerely thank the craftsmen for their hospitality, shared knowledge, and warm welcomes! The experiences and stories enriched with creativity allowed the project participants to gain a deeper understanding of ancient crafts.

The photography exhibition “Against the Background of Ancient Crafts” will also be displayed in other Lithuanian towns:

• September 15 – October 13 at Renavas Manor in Mažeikiai District

• October 15 – November 17 at Telšiai Cultural Center

Project: “Against the Background of Ancient Crafts”
Organizer: Šiauliai District Municipality’s Center for Ethnic Culture and Traditional Crafts
Partially funded by: Lithuanian Council for Culture
Project partner: Šiauliai District Municipality
Exhibition author: Roberta Griciūtė, Public Relations Specialist at the Center
Project leader: Simona Sidabrienė, Cultural Activities Manager at the Center